Limiting the spillover of zoonotic pathogens from traditional food markets in developing countries and a new market design for risk-proofing

Sandeep Ghatak(Sandeep Ghatak ),Kandhan Srinivas(Kandhan Srinivas ),Arockiasamy Arun Prince Milton(Arockiasamy Arun Prince Milton ),Govindarajan Bhuvana Priya(Govindarajan Bhuvana Priya ),Samir Das(Sa 한국역학회 2023 Epidemiology and Health Vol.45 No.-

Traditional food markets are age-old systems that primarily serve the food supply needs of society’s less affluent sectors, often operating with minimal infrastructure. These markets are prevalent in low and middle-income countries. However, their hygienic conditions are frequently suboptimal, potentially fostering the emergence and spread of presumptive zoonotic diseases. The recent emergence of zoonotic or potentially zoonotic diseases and their possible links to traditional food markets underscore the need for focused attention on this overlooked issue. The socioeconomic characteristics of traditional food markets reveal that despite the risk of zoonotic pathogen spread, these markets play a crucial role for large segments of the population. These individuals rely on such markets for their livelihood, food, and nutrition. Therefore, a comprehensive set of measures addressing various aspects of traditional food markets is necessary to manage and mitigate the risks of potential zoonotic disease emergence. In this article, we explore various facets of traditional food markets, paying special attention to the risks of zoonotic diseases that urgently require stakeholder attention. We also propose a new market design to prevent the risk of zoonotic spillover and advocate for the development of a Market Hygiene Index for these markets.

Heat Shock Protein 70 in Penile Neurovascular Regeneration Requires Cystathionine Gamma-Lyase

Ghatak Kalyan,Yin Guo Nan,Hong Soon-Sun,Kang Ju-Hee,Suh Jun-Kyu,Ryu Ji-Kan 대한남성과학회 2022 The World Journal of Men's Health Vol.40 No.4

Purpose: Diabetes mellitus, one of the major causes of erectile dysfunction, leads to a poor response to phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors. Heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70), a ubiquitous molecular chaperone, is known to play a role in cell survival and neuroprotection. Here, we aimed to assess whether and how Hsp70 improves erectile function in diabetic mice. Materials and Methods: Eight-week-old male C57BL/6 mice and Hsp70-Tg mice were used in this study. We injected Hsp70 protein into the penis of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice. Detailed mechanisms were evaluated in WT or Hsp70- Tg mice under normal and diabetic conditions. Primary MCECs, and MPG and DRG tissues were cultivated under normalglucose and high-glucose conditions. Results: Using Hsp70-Tg mice or Hsp70 protein administration, we demonstrate that elevated levels of Hsp70 restores erectile function in diabetic mice. We found that cystathionine gamma-lyase (Cse) is a novel target of Hsp70 in this process, showing that Hsp70-Cse acts through the SDF1/HO-1/PI3K/Akt/eNOS/NF-κB p65 pathway to exert its neurovascular regeneration- promoting effects. Coimmunoprecipitation and pull-down assays using mouse cavernous endothelial cells treated with Hsp70 demonstrated physical interactions between Hsp70 and Cse with a dissociation constant of 1.8 nmol/L. Conclusions: Our findings provide novel and solid evidence that Hsp70 acts through a Cse-dependent mechanism to mediate neurovascular regeneration and restoration of erectile function under diabetic conditions.

Assessment of a fire damaged reinforced concrete building

Arup Ghatak,P.N. Ojha,Singh Brijesh,Singh Abhishek,Reddy TVG,Mohapatra B N 아시아콘크리트학회 2021 Journal of Asian Concrete Federation Vol.7 No.1

A proper condition assessment of reinforced concrete structure after a fire event involves field and laboratory work to determine the extent of fire in order to design an appropriate and cost effective repair scheme. The present paper presents a case study where an attempt has been made to carry out a condition assessment of a fire damaged building in a systematic manner. The approach adopted broadly consisted of questioning of on-site personnel, a detailed visual survey, on-site non-destructive / partially-destructive tests, collection of in-situ samples from site along with some laboratory based investigations on samples collected from site. Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) Analysis and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) Imaging were conducted for microstructural characterization and analysis of concrete to correlate, corroborate and validate the results obtained through on-site assessment. Since the building was an old structure, carbonation depth in structural members was also evaluated. Finally, based on the visual inspections indicating the condition of surface and structural elements such as spalling, exposure and condition of reinforcement, cracks, honeycombing etc. along with NonDestructive Test / Laboratory test results, the repair methodology of structural members are presented.

Urban street vending practices: an investigation of ethnic food safety knowledge, attitudes, and risks among untrained Chinese vendors in chinatown, Kolkata

Ishani Ghatak,Soumendu Chatterjee 한국식품연구원 2018 Journal of Ethnic Foods Vol.5 No.4

Background: The main objective of this study is to inspect the food safety and hygiene practices of Chinese street vendors of Kolkata where the food is prepared at home following authentic Chinese recipes and served with congenial affability. This study also suggests that the right to earn livelihood should be protected for Chinese street vendors. Methods: In the present study, we apply the scales developed by Sekar [54], Chukuezi [22], Privitera and Nesci [51], Ismail et al [30], and Cortese et al [25]. The research was carried out using a 4 section questionnaire adapted from previous scholar’s works. The final questionnaire comprises questions about demographic characteristics, socio-economic factors, and food safety and hygiene practices and customers experiences. Data collection was performed in three different ways: 1) direct participant observation, 2) in depth interview, and 3) checklist items to observe and evaluate food safety and hygiene. Results: Indian Chinese pavement hawkers contribute to a substantial proportion of the informal economy which creates an authoritative profitable role in the city as an important wellspring of income. They provided some vague information about ethnic food safety like contamination, cooking methods, food contact applicators, handling procedures, washing instruments and hygiene practices. Conclusion: This research provides data necessary for the improvement of policies/regulations and safety standards that will sustain the quality of Chinese street foods which provide more fruitful implications for nurture gastro tourism in Chinatown.

Peanut proteins: Applications, ailments and possible remediation

Sumanta Kumar Ghatak,Kamalika Sen 한국공업화학회 2013 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.19 No.2

Peanut is an annually grown plant and the chiefly cultivated species is Arachis hypogaea L. Mainly three types of proteins, arachin, conarachin I and conarachin II are present in peanut. It is an important and cheap source of protein. It can also cause allergic reactions in human beings. The peanut protein contains two components, Ara h 1 and Ara h 2 which are mainly responsible to cause allergy. Different remedial measures have been proposed to fight with the allergenic property of peanut proteins such as treatment with peroxidase, phytic acid, active charcoal, and various enzymes to minimize allergenic effect. Improper storage of peanuts causes growth of a fungal organism that releases aflatoxin, which is a carcinogen to mammals. Use of aluminosilicate clay, gamma irradiation, ozonation methods have been discussed for aflatoxin decontaminated from peanut. In this critical review, we have given an overview of the different extraction procedures of the peanut proteins and pointed out the methodologies to minimize allergenic actions and detoxification of the aflatoxin contamination in peanut.

Isolation and Structure Elucidation of New Pentacyclic Triterpene Acid from the Leaves of Rubus ellipticus

Dutta, S.,Ghatak, K.L.,Ganguly, S.N. The Korean Society of Pharmacognosy 1997 Natural Product Sciences Vol.3 No.2

A new pentacyclic triterpene acid, elliptic acid was isolated from the ethanolic extract of the leaves of Rubus ellipticus. On the basis of physical evidences coupled with chemical investigations, the structure of elliptic acid was given as, 3,7, 11-trihydroxy ursolic acid.

Optimizing in vivo gene transfer into mouse corpus cavernosum by use of surface electroporation

송강문,최민지,권미혜,Kalyan Ghatak,박수환,류동수,류지간,서준규 대한비뇨의학회 2015 Investigative and Clinical Urology Vol.56 No.3

Purpose: Electroporation is known to enhance the efficiency of gene transfer through a transient increase in cell membrane permeability. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal conditions for in vivo electroporation-mediated gene delivery into mouse corpus cavernosum. Materials and Methods: Diabetes was induced in C57BL/6 mice by intraperitoneal injections of streptozotocin. After intracavernous injection of pCMV-Luc (100 μg/40 μL), different electroporation settings (5–50 V, 8–16 pulses with a duration of 40–100 ms) were applied to the penis to establish the optimal conditions for electroporation. Gene expression was evaluated by luciferase assay. We also assessed the undesired consequences of electroporation by visual inspection and hematoxylin-eosin staining of penile tissue. Results: Electroporation profoundly induced gene expression in the corpus cavernosum tissue of normal mice in a voltage-dependent manner. We observed electrical burn scars in the penis of normal mice who received electroporation with eight 40-ms pulses at a voltage of 50 V and sixteen 40-ms pulses, eight 100-ms pulses, and sixteen 100-ms pulses at a voltage of 30 V. No detectable burn scars were noted in normal mice stimulated with eight 40-ms pulses at a voltage of 30 V. Electroporation also significantly induced gene expression in diabetic mice stimulated with 40-ms pulse at a voltage of 30 V without injury to the penis. Conclusions: We have established the optimal electroporation conditions for maximizing gene transfer into the corpus cavernosum of mice while avoiding damage to the erectile tissue. The electroporation-mediated gene delivery technique will be a valuable tool for gene therapy in the field of erectile dysfunction.

Subhepatic (Abnormal) Position of the Vermiform Appendix with Adhesion: A Case Report

( Anju Choudhary ),( Surajit Ghatak ) 대한간학회 2018 춘·추계 학술대회 (KASL) Vol.2018 No.1

Introduction: The vermiform appendix is the most variable abdominal organ in terms of position, extent, peritoneal and organ relations. The location of appendix is important when it comes to clinical presentation of a patient with appendicitis. Case Report: During regular dissection classes of first year medical undergraduates, variation in the position of appendix with adhesion were noted in a male cadaver aged approximately 50-55 years. Subhepetic position of appendix might congest the subhepetic region and minimize the intestinal movements. The knowledge of this type of variations may be useful for the radiologist and surgeons.

Electrochemical Advanced Oxidation of Lamotrigine at Ti/DSA (Ta₂O₅-Ir₂O₅) and Stainless Steel Anodes

Meena, Vinod Kumar,Ghatak, Himadri Roy The Korean Electrochemical Society 2022 Journal of electrochemical science and technology Vol.13 No.2

The study presents kinetics of degradation and mineralization of an anti-epileptic drug Lamotrigine (LAM) in the aqueous matrix by electrochemical advanced oxidation process (EAOP) on Ti/DSA (Ta₂O₅-Ir₂O₅) and Stainless Steel (SS) anodes using sodium sulphate as supporting electrolyte. On both the anodes, kinetic behaviour was pseudo-first-order for degradation as well as mineralization of LAM. On Ti/DSA anode, maximum LAM degradation of 75.42% was observed at an associated specific charge of 3.1 (Ah/litre) at a current density of 1.38 mA/cm² and 100 ppm Na₂SO₄ concentration. Maximum mineralization attained was 44.83% at an associated specific charge of 3.1 (Ah/litre) at a current density of 1.38 mA/cm² and 50 ppm concentration of Na₂SO₄ with energy consumption of 2942.71 kWh/kgTOC. Under identical conditions on SS anode, a maximum of 98.92% LAM degradation was marked after a specific charge (Q) of 3.1 (Ah/litre) at a current density of 1.38 mA/cm² and 100 ppm concentration of Na₂SO₄. Maximum LAM mineralization on SS anode was 98.53%, marked at a specific charge of 3.1 (Ah/litre) at a current density of 1.38 mA/cm² and 75 ppm concentration of Na₂SO₄, with energy consumption of 1312.17 kWh/kgTOC. Higher Mineralization Current Efficiency (MCE) values were attained for EAOP on SS anode for both degradation and mineralization due to occurrence of combined electro-oxidation and electro-coagulation process in comparison to EAOP on Ti/DSA anode due to occurrence of lone electro-oxidation process.

A Simple and Nonenzymatic Method to Isolate Human Corpus Cavernosum Endothelial Cells and Pericytes for the Study of Erectile Dysfunction

윤국남,옥지연,Min-Ji Choi,송강문,Kalyan Ghatak,Nguyen Nhat Minh,Mi Hye Kwon,Do-Hwan Seong,Hai-Rong Jin,Ji-Kan Ryu,Jun Kyu Suh 대한남성과학회 2020 The World Journal of Men's Health Vol.38 No.1

ChinaPurpose: To establish a simple and nonenzymatic technique to isolate endothelial cells (ECs) and pericytes from human corpus cavernosum tissue and to evaluate the angiogenic ability of the human cavernous EC or pericytes for the study of high glucose-induced angiopathy.Materials and Methods: For primary human cavernous EC culture, cavernous tissues were implanted into Matrigel in dishes. For primary human cavernous pericyte culture, cavernous tissues were settled by gravity into dishes. We performed immunocytochemistry and Western blot to determine phenotype and morphologic changes from passage 1 to 5. The primary cultured cells were exposed to a normal-glucose (5 mmol/L) or a high-glucose (30 mmol/L) condition, and then tube formation assay was done.Results: We successfully isolated high-purity EC and pericytes from human corpus cavernosum tissue. Primary cultured EC showed highly positive staining for von Willebrand factor, and pericyte revealed positive staining for NG2 and platelet-derived growth factor receptor-β. Primary cultured EC and pericytes maintained their cellular characteristics up to passage 2 or 3. However, we observed significant changes in their typical phenotype from the passage 4 and morphological characteristics from the passage 3. Human cavernous EC or pericytes formed well-organized capillary-like structures in normal-glucose condition, whereas severely impaired tube formation was detected in high-glucose condition.Conclusions: This study provides a simple and nonenzymatic method for primary culture of human cavernous EC and pericytes. Our study will aid us to understand the pathophysiology of diabetic erectile dysfunction, and also be a valuable tool for determining the efficacy of candidate therapeutic targets.