Biography:

Dr. Lavanya currently work as a Post-doctoral researcher in Technical Industrialization Team, Centre for Industrialization of Agriculture and Livestock Microorganisms, handling projects in the environmental field, services for our customers for culturing microorganism and production of enzymes in bulk quantity. Previously, she has completed her PhD from Department of Environmental Engineering, Chosun University, Gwangju, Rep of Korea. She had good hands-on experience in isolation, characterization of new aerobic and anaerobic microbes from human and environmental samples and also my research was based on biofuel production, bioremediation and biodegradation utilizing aerobic or anaerobic microbes. 

Abstract:

The harmful odours generating from the agricultural industry, especially from swine farm is a serious issue throughout South Korea. The objective of this study was to inhibit and control the swine waste odour by the cost-effective biological control method. Therefore, we have developed a method utilizing microbial consortium that can degrade the swine waste odour without affecting the properties of waste as manure. As part of these studies, we have taken a microbial consortium of Bacillus subtilis, Rhodobacter sphaeroides and Saccharomyces cerevisiae that can be utilized as biological control method due to their property of forming a biofilm and also the reason that these organisms can grow in assimilating ammonium nitrogen which reduces ammonia emission during composting of swine waste. In addition, immobilized whole cells of Nitrosomonas eutropha that are capable of carrying out the nitrification process were also tested as an additive with the consortium. These organisms were present at a concentration as high as 1.2×10⁹ CFU/ml (B. subtilis); 2.0×10⁹ CFU/ml (L. plantarum); 3.9×10⁹ CFU/ml (R. sphaeroides) and 6.7×107 CFU/ml (N. eutropha). Two batch reactions were carried out, one by mixing the consortium along with immobilized whole cells of N. eutropha and the other by using only consortium as an additive. About 35% nitrogen loss and a decrease of ammonium concentration was detected when the immobilized whole cells were added. In contrast, only 20% nitrogen loss was measured when a consortium was utilized. This study demonstrated a simple, cost-effective approach to deodorize and treat swine waste odour effectively.

Biography:

Gautam Krishnan has submitted his PhD thesis in December 2018 from BITS Pilani K K Birla Goa Campus, Goa, India. He has 2 publication in Scopus and SCI listed journals. He has worked in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry for 14 years at Astra Zeneca India Pvt. Limited, Bangalore (January 1995 – July 2001), Biocon India Pvt Ltd, Bangalore (July 2001 – July 2006), Goodwin Biotechnology India, Goa (September 2006 – May 2009). At Astra, he worked on Drug Discovery programs for malaria & antibiotics with a team of 5 personnel, facilitated screening of 20,000 compounds for an Anti-Malarial Drug Discovery program and in developing Enzymatic Assays for Anti-Malarial Drug Discovery program and Anti-Bacterial program. At Biocon, he was part of an R and D team that launched insulin and is credited with 2 international and 2 Indian patents. At Goodwin Biotechnology India, Goa, he helped establish a new lab in Goa, India, the subsidiary of Florida-based, Goodwin Biotechnology Inc. Undertook two and half-month training at Goodwin Biotechnology USA in the fall of 2006 to acquire experience in c-GMP. Teaching Experience: He has worked as lecturer in Dhempe College, Goa and Visiting faculty at BITS Pilani KK Birla Goa campus from December 2009 to December 2014, where he has taught theory courses like General Biology for five semesters, Bioconversion Technology for three semesters and Recombinant DNA Technology for one semester. He was also Contributory Teacher, Goa University Department of Biotechnology teaching theory courses like Food Biotechnology, Environmental Biotechnology, Biosafety and IPR, Bioentrepreneurship, among others and guided four students for M.Sc Dissertation

Abstract:

Mycobacterium tuberculosis Acr is an important protein expressed in latent tuberculosis which is active as an oligomer in preventing misfolding of cellular proteins. In this study, Mycobacterium alpha crystallin (acr) gene was cloned and expressed in E. coli. The recombinant Acr protein was purified by Nickel-NTA resin. The oligomeric state of Acr was confirmed by gel filtration chromatography using Sephacryl S-200 and Native-PAGE. The activity of recombinant Acr was checked by preventing thermal aggregation of citrate synthase at 45°C and the chaperone activity against insulin B chain aggregation at 60ºC and 37°C. Chaperone activity studies were performed with insulin at different mole ratios of Acr with 2 types of samples, His tag elutes (H) and His tag elutes with gel filtration (G). Polynomial graphs were plotted which could be used to predict activity. It was observed that ratio of different sizes of oligomers (9 to 24 mers) had a significant effect on chaperone activity. Using mole ratio of Acr for both (H) and (G) samples to insulin substrate and ratio of oligomers, we determined number of Acr molecules binding to insulin as a model substrate. We found that if 1.54% of the insulin chain is covered completely by the (G) samples, aggregation is completely inhibited as compared to 6% with (H) samples. Pre-heat treatment studies were carried out at 37ºC, 60ºC and 70ºC. Far-Ultraviolet circular dichroism (UV-CD) analysis provided fresh insights into the role of β sheets and α helices in activity, especially in (H) samples suggesting a reversible transition fromhelices to  sheets. This enabled us to formulate a functional model for binding of Acr to insulin B chain which incorporated 4 types of secondary structure molecules. This is a useful tool to analyse in vitro preparations of recombinant Acr and build more consensus on the structure activity relationship; especially in terms of oligomeric ratios.

Biography:

Abstract:

There is an elevated incidence of invasive aspergillosis among hospitalized patients (Rajasingham et al., 2017). In the Philippines to date, there is no published data that focused on the prevalence of Aspergillus species or any other thermotolerant fungal species in a hospital environment. Ten isolates of A. fumigatus were preserved from the previous unpublished study of the principal investigator on this recent research, where an environmental air sampling using Andersen Air Sampler was conducted in six wards of a public tertiary hospital in Metro Manila. This research served as a preliminary study to characterize the antifungal susceptibility of environmental isolates of Aspergillus fumigatus from a hospital facility against three antifungal agents. Moreover this study conducted an animal survival analysis to determine the virulence of these isolates on BALB/c mice. Lung tissues of infected mice were also subjected to histopathology. Etest result for antifungal susceptibility testing showed that two isolates were resistant (Non- Wild type) to amphotericin B (AF2-A and AF-3A); one isolate resistant to voriconazole (AF2-A) and an isolate that manifested non- susceptibility to caspofungin (AF2A). Epidemiological cut-off values followed the M38-A2 CLSI guidelines. BALB/c mice survival analysis revealed that the isolate with the highest Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) for voriconazole resulted to the most number of mortality with the least number of observation days. Gomori Methenamine Silver stain (GMS) and Hematoxylin & Eosin (H&E) histopathology slides showed fungal elements embedded in lung tissue of mice. Emerging resistance on this thermotolerant fungus from an environmental source could pose risk among immunecompromised hospital inhabitants.   

Biography:

Aditi Chauhan completed her B.Sc. and M.Sc. from Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Krishi Vishvavidyalya, Palampur. She was awarded Gold Medal in B.Sc. and Academic excellence award in M.Sc.. Currently she is pursuing PhD from Panjab University, Chandigarh. She was awarded with 2^nd best poster award in 35^th Annual Confrence of Indian Association of Biomedical Scientists held in November 2014 at Palampur and her work was ranked among the first 100 best works in "17^th World Congress on Gynecological Endocrinology" held in March 2018 at Florence, Italy.

Abstract:

Men in many countries are ready to share the benefits and burden of family planning equally but till date condom and vasectomy are the only contraceptive methods available for them. Therefore, the hunt for more effective and safer alternatives is still on, wherein, one exploiting rich diversity of microorganisms can be thought of. Earlier in our laboratory, sperm immobilizing factor (SIF) isolated from Escherichia coli has shown admirable spermicidal activity in vitro and excellent contraceptive efficacy in female mice. Thus, the present study was designed to exploit SIF as potential male contraceptive using intratestis as a preferred route of  administration. SIF (10, 50, 100, 200 and 400μg) was administered in the right testis whereas the left testis served as control. The mice were sacrificed at Day 3, 7, 14, 21, 30, 45, 60 and 90 and the results in terms of change in body weight, seminal parameters, tissue somatic indices and histopathology were studied. The weight profile and tissue somatic indices of reproductive as well as of non-reproductive organs showed no significant change in all experimental groups. In case of seminal parameters, inhibition of spermatogenesis was observed in right testis treated with 400 μg of SIF and azoospermia persisted till day 90. Further, histological studies revealed blockage of spermatogenesis in treated side as compared to the non treated side where normal tissue histology was observed. Hence,  SIF when administered intratesticularly can lead to complete azoospermia and holds a potential to be exploited as a male contraceptive in future.

Biography:

Dr Atmaram Bandivdekar completed his Ph D Degree from Mumbai University. He was Post-Doctoral and subsequently Carrier fellow at Population Council, New York. He was also the visiting scientist at UC Davis Primate Center. He has major research contributions at National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health in the field of Reproductive Health and understanding mechanism of sexual transmission and pathogenesis of HIV. He has developed recombinant vaccine which elicited significant cell mediated and humeral immune responses against HIV. Also developed formulation for prevention of sexual transmission of HIV which prevents HIV binding to hMR and CXCR4 and CCR5 coreceptors. He has also developed non surgical method of fertility regulation using synthetic peptide of sperm specific antigen. He has published more than 80 papers in peer reviewed journals and also the book and two conference proceedings. He also has six National and International awards for his scientific contributions.

Abstract:

Human immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) primarily binds to CD4 receptors and also different host cell receptors including human Mannose Receptor (hMR), DC-SIGN, Galactosyl Ceramide, Syndecan-Syndecan-3 Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycan receptors.  HIV is known to be sexually transmitted by binding to hMR on human sperm and vaginal epithelial which are devoid of conventional CD4 receptor. Localization of hMR was found to be in lower number of vaginal epithelial cells of HIV negative female partner of serodiscordant couples as compared to normal females suggesting association of hMR in sexual transmission of HIV. Additionally poor proof reading activity HIV results in to presence of distinct and multiple DNA and RNA variants in different cells and secretions of the same individual. Genotypic and phenotypic characterization of C2-V3 region of HIV1 C env gene in PBMCs, sperm, vaginal epithelial cells and cervical cells showed presence of distinct variants in the same individual with variable infectivity with different numbers of N-linked glycosylation (NLG) sites suggesting variation in coreceptor affinity in different cells of same individual which may influence disease progression and risk of HIV transmission. Additionally genotypic characterization of HIV1 gp41 by next generation sequencing showed presence of multiple variants in blood of the same individual. Presence of distinct and multiple variants in different cells and secretions may influence the viral affinity to host and immune cells and therefore may affect HIV transmission, infectivity, response to antiretroviral drug therapy and pathogenicity. Presence of cell associated DNA virus and cell free RNA virus suggests the need for development of effective vaccine which elicit both cell mediated as well as humeral; immune responses. Also development of formulation for prevention of sexual transmission of HIV need to be primarily prevent HIV binding to hMR, CXCR4 and CCR5 coreceptor which may be safe microbicide for prevention of HIV transmission.  

Biography:

Abstract:

Introduction: Bacteriospermia is presence of bacteria in semen. Urogenital infections in males is an important cause of infertility worldwide and is responsible for 8-35% of infertility cases in males. There are several reasons for altered semen quality and bacteriospermia could be one of them.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of bacteriospermia in human semen and its effect on the various parameters.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive conducted among a hundred and thirty eight (138) semen samples, collected from men attending the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology laboratory in University of Nairobi for semen analysis. Semen parameters were analysed based on WHO 2010 guidelines for semenalysis as well as being subjected to culture using standard bacteriological techniques.  Data was analysed using IBM SPSS version 20 software.

Results: In this study, 67 (49.6%) participants had male infertility issues while 71 (51.4) were Normozoospermia. Male infertility was as follows; Asthenozoospermia 5 (3.6%), Oligozoospermia 26 (18.8%), Teratozoospermia 5 (3.6%), Azoospermia 20 (14.5%), Astheno Oligo Teratozoospermia 6 (4.5%) and Hypozoospermia 5(3.6%). The prevalence of bacteriospermia in semen samples from patients who underwent evaluation of fertility was 42%.  The most common bacterial species isolated were Stapylococcus aureus (23.2%) and Escherichia coli (11.6%) while the least common species isolated were Coagulase negative Stapylococcus (5.1%), Proteus species (1.4%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (0.7%). The results of the study showed that 71.6% of infertile men were positive at least for one pathogen.

Conclusion: Microbial infection plays an important role in men infertility. Bacterial infection in semen has been paid attention as a major cause of male infertility. The results of the study showed that 71.6% of infertile men were positive at least for one pathogen. The presence of bacteria in semen was strongly associated with infertility in men.

Biography:

Abstract:

The Auxin biosynthesis is crucial to plant growth and development. Indole-3-Acetic Acid is the naturally occurring and the most studied Auxin in plants. It is a major Phyto hormone that controls and coordinates plant development. The present study was conducted to illustrate the pronounced potential of different Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR’s) in Auxin Biosynthesis in the presence of Growth precursor L-Tryptophan. Tryptophan is a non-polar, aromatic-amino acid used as a Building block in Protein biosynthesis.  PGPR’s are a diverse group of bacteria inhabiting plant roots and are involved in modulating plant growth and development by a number of mechanisms including Auxin biosynthesis which is immensely considerable. This study involved the isolation and culturing of purified isolates of Eight Different PGPR’s to which Maize seeds were soaked. Different concentrations of L-Tryptophan were then added and these seeds were sown. Appropriate environmental conditions and proper fertilization was given. The mature plants were then subjected to analyze their Auxin level by using Spectrophotometer. Two PGPR’s i.e. Azotobacter and Azospirillum showed pronounced Auxin level (5.983ug/ml and 5.034ug/ml of IAA Equivalents respectively). It is therefore concluded that the maize plants showed tremendous Auxin Biosynthesis when they were subjected to growth precursor L-Tryptophan and PGPR’s which govern this synthesis. Such PGPR’s may be used to explore the biosynthesis potential of other phyto-hormones using different amino acids as precursors in future.

Biography:

Abstract:

Shed dried matured leaves of Carica papaya were extracted with water, ethanol and chloroform solvents via percolation method. The composition of bioactive compounds in the leaves extracts of Carica papaya was determined by Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrophotometry. The toxicity statuses of the extracts were tested using Brine Shrimp Lethality Assay and bioactivity test was carried out on the bioactive TLC fractions. From the GC-MS study  eighteen compounds were identified, with oleic acid (36.65%), palmitic acid (16.68%), stearic acid (9.78%) and 9-octadecenal (7.44%) being the major components. The toxicity study revealed that chloroform extracts of C. papaya was not toxic with LC₅₀ value of (11,641µg/ml). While water extracts have LC₅₀ values of (57.450µg/mL) and ethanolic extracts presents LC₅₀ values of (179.505 µg/mL) respectively. Lastly results of antibacterial activity using contact bio-autography showed that the only bioactive fractions (Rf2 and Rf3 of chloroform extracts) were active against Salmonella Typhi and Salmonella Paratyphi B only.

Biography:

Maheshi Mapalagamage has completed her B. Sc. (Special) Hons. (First class) Special Degree in Zoology, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka and currently she is reading for a PhD at Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (IBMBB), University of Colombo. Her PhD is based on investigating prognositic markers for severe dengue infection with respect to oxidative stress and endothelial dysfucntion and underling immunopathogenic mechanisms. She is also working as an Assistant lectuerer at Department of Zoology and Environment Sciences, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka. In addition, she is being working as a collabarative trainer for RT-PCR workshops conducted by Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany

Abstract:

Use of total nitrite plus nitrate (NOx) and nitrite (NO₂⁻) separately as surrogate markers for serum nitric oxide in severe dengue and their longitudinal changes along with the progression of infection was studied. Deproteinized sera from confirmed dengue fever (DF, n=145) and dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF, n=74) patients on admission-A, critical-C, discharge-D, and convalescence-CON stages and from age-gender matched healthy individuals (HC, n=77) were taken to assess NO₂⁻ and NOx levels using Griess and modified Griess assays. Serum NOx in DHFA was significantly lower compared to DFA (p<0.001). HC had the lowest NOx and NO₂⁻ compared to all patient categories (p<0.001) except NO₂⁻ in DF-CON and DHF-CON and NOx in DHF-CON. A strong significant positive correlation between serum NOx levels and NO₂^- was observed in DHFA (p<0.000, r=0.599, Pearson correlation), DHFC (p<0.004, r=0.573) and DHFD (p=0.425, r=0.008) patient categories. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was done to seek the prognostic value the test of serum NOx in predicting DHF on admission. Serum NOx and NO₂⁻ in DHF patients admitted on fever day 3 (DHFA-3) was significantly lower compared to DFA-3 (p<0.050). Cut-off values of 4.46 μM for NOx (91.3% sensitivity and 80.1% specificity) and 1.25 μM for NO₂⁻ (75.0% sensitivity and 73.3% specificity) were obtained for day 3 of fever. In DHF patients, the lower NO levels may have made a more favorable environment for the virus to flourish. This may have resulted in a high viral load which may have increased the adverse pathophysiologic process in the body leading to increased severity.Therefore, Serum NOx may be used as potential prognostic marker of DHF in patients presenting with DF in the early stage (on day 3 of fever) of the disease.

Biography:

A practicing physician in the field of healthcare in the state of Kerala in India for the last 30 years and very much interested in basic research. My interest is spread across the fever , inflammation and  back pain,. I am a writer. I already printed and published nine books in these subjects. I wrote hundreds of articles in various magazines.

After scientific studies we have developed 8000 affirmative cross checking questions. It  can explain all queries related with fever

Abstract:

Symptom Definition is the only parameters  necessary for a Symptom. As any or all other definitions, symptom definition should be describe the symptom scientifically. If it cannot describe clearly, there is no use of  a symptom  definition. A symptom is a departure from normal function or feeling which is noticed only by a patient, indicating the presence of disease or abnormality.                                                                   

One cannot be understand directly the temperature is elevated in hypothalamus .A mechanical device is necessary to measure elevated temperature in hypothalamus. In symptom definition, fever definition can’t be found. The elevation of body temperature is not included in symptom definition. The main evidence which proves that fever is not a symptom of disease is symptom definition itself. Elevated temperature or increased temperature never make fever or symptoms of fever. it may create hyperthermia.

None of diseases or cause of diseases require fever as its symptom.              

If the mosquito bites its virus, bacteria, venom gets deposited in the body as a result according to  nature and  strength of  virus,  bacteria ,venom symptoms like itching, pain  and signals like colour change, inflammation, may occurred.

we can see the symptoms, Signals and indications of  virus, bacteria, venom  which multiple or spreading or  damages(disease)    the body before  fever emerge . The symptoms of virus, bacteria and venom are not based on fever.       The symptom, signs and signals are shown every time when virus, bacteria and venom are present in the body. In such a situation fever is not necessary, because fever is not seen in everyone. In a state of multi-disease conditions, if fever is caught and cured, fever will not show the symptoms of other diseases. In H1N1 infections 30% of patients actually had no fever.

There is a sharp difference between Symptoms of fever and symptoms of rising temperature. Symptoms of fever includes   body pain, fatigue to mind and body, reduced appetite, reduced motion and indigestion, internal and external discomfort, etc.,

The symptoms, signs, signals of fever are only seen at the presence of fever.   During cancer the symptom, signs and signals of cancer are shown every time.  A patient having cancer and fever at the same time, symptoms, signs and signals of both cancer and fever are shown every time.

A symptom of cancer never become symptom of fever or a symptom of fever can never become symptom of cancer.  During cancer the symptom, signs and signals of cancer are shown every time.

How can separate symptom of disease and symptom of fever.

 In fever, both symptom of disease and symptom of Fever are included. Deduct symptom of disease from total symptoms we will get symptom of fever. Like that we can separate signs, signals, and actions of both fever and disease.

Biography:

Mr. Iddrisu Bukari is a current practicing Public Health Nutritionist and Health Tutor with the Ghana Health Service and the Ministry of Health. He a Master of Public Health Student, University of Health and Allied Sciences-Ghana, He holds BSc. (Hons.) Public Health and Diploma in Community Nutrition and Health. He worked in Gambaga and Mankranso Districts Health Directorates in 2012 and 2016 respectively as District Nutrition Officer. In November, 2016 he was appointed a Nutrition and Public health Tutor by the Ministry of Health and posted to Keta Nursing and Midwifery Training College, where he taught for semesters and was transferred to Hohoe Midwifery Training College till date. His area of research interest is Nutrition, Maternal and Child Health and Water Quality. He is a member of African Nutrition Society, Ghana Nutrition Association.He has worked with Public and Private Sector including international NGOs such as World Food Programme, Care Int., Solidaridad, CRS etc.

Abstract:

Introduction: Water is one of the most essential and abundant commodities of man occupying about 70% of the earth’s surface (Hazen and Toranzos, 1990). This study is assessed consumers’ perception on the quality and potability of sachet-drinking water in the Ahafo Ano South District. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using simple random sampling to select 3 sub-district, five communities and 300 sachet water consumers, 50 wholesalers and 7 sachet water producers in the Ahafo-Ano South District. Results: The findings obtained were: Majority of consumers and wholesale 83.7% and 66% respectively had adequate knowledge on basic properties of water, majority 66% of wholesale respondents had adequate knowledge on safe storage conditions of sachet water, 24%, 8% and 14.3% of consumers, wholesalers and manufacturers had knowledge about sachet water regulatory bodies, 0% and 14.3% of wholesalers and manufacturers are trained on water quality controls. Recommendation: In conclusion, based on their adequate knowledge on the basic properties of water, majority of consumers are able to make clear distinction between good quality water and poor quality one, also due to the lack of training on water safety and quality controls in the sachet water supply chain, stakeholders should prioritize trainings and regulatory intensify their monitoring systems.

Biography:

Grace A. John-Ugwuanya did her PhD in Pharmaceutical Microbiology at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in collaboration with University of Nebraska Medical Centre, Omaha, USA. She is a Senior Medical Laboratory Scientist and Laboratory Safety Officer at the International Foundation Against Infectious disease in Nigeria. She is a public speaker, an author of three personal development books and very passionate about inspiring youths towards becoming a better version of themselves.

Abstract:

The clinical impact of Staphylococcus epidermidis in bacteremia remains controversial. The aim of this study is to determine the methicillin resistance and biofilm formation of S. epidermidis isolates. A total of 102 S. epidermidis blood culture isolates from children under five attending seven selected hospitals in north-central and north-west Nigeria within 2009 to 2016 were analyzed for methicillin resistance using cefoxitin disk agar diffusion test. Phenotypic biofilm formation and molecular detection of the intercellular adhesion locus (icaA) gene was performed by the quantitative Microtitre Plate (MTP) method and conventional Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) respectively. Seventy-four (72.5%) Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE) was observed while biofilm formation was detected in 20 (19.6%) S. epidermidis isolates. The icaA gene positive and negative S. epidermidis were 22.5% (23/102) and 77.5% (79/102) respectively. In correlating the biofilm formation using MTP method and icaA gene detection, 19.6% were biofilm producers and icaA positive while 2.9% carried the icaA gene but did not produce biofilm on the tissue culture plate. Out of the icaA positive S. epidermidis, 91.3% were MRSE while 69.6% were MRSE among the icaA negative strains. Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis is common and the majority of the biofilm-producing strains were highly resistant to methicillin. This suggests a close association between biofilm-formation in S. epidermidis with increased methicillin resistance.