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Listeria monocytogenes exhibits increased heat tolerance to lethal heating temperature when pre-exposed to sublethal heat stress. The objective of this study was to investigate the differences in survival of L. monocytogenes EGD (Bug600)(serotype 1/2a) in various disinfectants and essential oils after sublethal heat stress at 48[degrees]C for 60 min. The survival of heat stressed L. monocytogenes cells was lower in lethal acid (HCl or [H.sub.3]P[O.sub.4] pH 2.5), lethal oxidative stress ([H.sub.2][O.sub.2] 1000 ppm) and lethal quaternary ammonium compounds (QAC 2.5-3.5 ppm) than the non-stressed control cells. By contrast, the survival of heat stressed L. monocytogenes cells was higher when exposed to lethal alkali (NaOH or KOH pH 12) than the control. In essential oils, the survival of heat stressed L. monocytogenes cells was higher when exposed to lethal carvacrol (428 ppm) and bay oil (1100 ppm) and the survival was lower in red thyme oil (300 pm) compared to control. On the other hand, there was no change in the survival of heat stressed cells in lethal cinnamon oil (1050 ppm) compared to control. This study indicated that the heat stressed cells of L. monocytogenes are not easily killed by NaOH- or KOH-based alkaline disinfectants, and in essential oils containing carvacrol and bay oil. Therefore, these sanitizers should be carefully considered when sublethal heat stressed cells of L. monocytogenes may be present. Keywords: Listeria monocytogenes, heat stress adaptation, cross protection, disinfectants, essential oils, INTRODUCTION Listeria monocytogenes is a Gram-positive, facultative anaerobic foodborne pathogen associated with a variety of food products such as meat, poultry, fresh produce and dairy products (Farber and Brown, 1990; [...]

Introduction: Solitary Thyroid Nodule (STN) has provoked increased concern owing to higher incidence of malignancy. The inter and intra observer variation in the histomorphological diagnosis of Papillary Thyroid Carcinomas (PTC) may sometimes pose a diagnostic difficulty. Aim: This study was undertaken to analyse immunohistochemical (IHC) markers (CK-19, CD-56, p53, Ki-67) to differentiate between benign and malignant surgically resected STN along with their utility in the identification of PTC. Materials and Methods: The present cross sectional study was conducted over a period of 4 years. A technique of manual tissue array was employed for cases subjected to IHC. The primary antibodies used were CK-19, CD-56, p53 and Ki- 67. Analysis of the expression of IHC markers (p53, Ki-67) to distinguish between benign and malignant STN was done. Evaluation and correlation of expression of IHC markers (CK-19, CD-56) to determine its utility in reaching definitive diagnosis and assessing prognosis of PTC was tried. Results were subjected to statistical analysis. The results were considered to be significant when the p-value <0.05. Results: Out of the 160 cases of surgically resected STN specimens, 68 cases were non-neoplastic, 24 cases were benign and 68 cases were of malignant tumours (7 cases of follicular carcinoma (FCa), 61 cases of PTC). CK-19 was found to be a sensitive (83.61%) and a highly specific positive marker (100%) for the diagnosis of PTC. The difference in CD- 56 expression between PTC and non-PTC group was found to be highly statistically significant. CD-56 was found to be a sensitive (85.86%) and specific (82.25%) negative marker in differentiating PTC from follicular lesions/neoplasms. The difference in p53 expression between the malignant and nonmalignant STN cases was found to be highly statistically significant with a sensitivity and specificity 85.29% and 70.65% respectively. The statistical difference in mean Ki-67 Labeling Index (LI) was found to be significant between PTC versus FA, PTC versus non-neoplastic lesions, FA versus FCa and FVPTC versus FA. Conclusion: The panel of four IHC markers (CK-19, CD-56, p53, Ki-67) may be used for differentiating doubtful benign STN cases from malignant ones and also for definitive diagnosis of PTC along with histopathological examination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Blepharispermum subsessile DC. is a folklore medicinal herb, found in Odisha, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra. It is locally known as Rasnajhadi in Odisha and its roots are being used as Rasna in treating rheumatic, gynecological, nervous disorders. In spite of its high medicinal as well as market values, the pharmacognostical characters of its root is not reported till date. Aim: To evaluate pharmacognostical and preliminary physico-chemical profiles of B. subsessile root. Materials and Methods: Roots of B. subsessile were collected from Odisha; its macroscopic, microscopic, powder characters and preliminary physicochemical characters were studied following standard procedures. Results: Microscopically, outer multilayered lignified cork cells, cortex, border pitted xylem vessels, tracheids, isolated or groups of thick-walled xylem fibees were seen. Physico-chemical parameters showed that water soluble extractive value (31.3%) is more than alcohol soluble extractive value (23.2%) and 5.5 pH value, etc. Conclusion: The findings of the study will be useful in the identification and standardization of the B. subsessile root. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]