Saline Gargle gives instant test results. It is suitable for rural and tribal areas, as it requires minimum basic facilities.

In a statement issued on Sunday, NEERI said that the institute has been ‘dedicated to the nation’ to serve society. The know-how has been transferred to the Union Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME), on a non-exclusive basis. This would enable the innovation to be commercialized and licensed to all capable parties, including private, government, and various rural development schemes and departments. The licensees have been asked to set up commercial production facilities in compact kit form for easy use of this technology.

On the occasion, the Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways said: “The Saline Gargle RT-PCR method needs implementation across the nation, especially in resource-poor regions like rural and tribal areas. This would result in faster and more citizen-friendly testing and will strengthen our fight against the pandemic.

Saline Gargle RT-PCR Test: No Swab, Get Result within 3 Hours

Scientists of Nagpur-based National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) under Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) have developed a ‘Saline Gargle RT-PCR Method’ for testing COVID-19 samples.

How saline gargle RT PCR works

The Saline Gargle RT-PCR method uses a simple collection tube filled with saline solution. The patient gargles the solution and rinses it inside the tube. This sample in the collection tube is taken to the laboratory where it is kept at room temperature, in a special buffer solution prepared by NEERI. An RNA template is produced when this solution is heated, which is further processed for  Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). This particular method of collecting and processing the sample enables us to save on the otherwise costly infrastructural requirement of  RNA extraction. People can also test themselves since this method allows self-sampling.” The method is environment-friendly as well since waste generation is minimized.

According to the official notice, “Computer Based Test for selection of candidates for the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) for the year 2021 will be held on 12.09.2021 (Sunday) from 03:00 PM to 04:30 PM at various cities across India. Notification for filling of online application forms will be issued in the last week of June 2021 on the websites of ICMR, New Delhi & PGIMER, Chandigarh. Tentative dates for filling out the online application form will be from 01.07.2021 to 31.07.2021. Aspiring candidates are advised to visit ICMR or PGIMER websites i.e. https://main.icmr.nic.in/ & www.pgimer.edu.in regularly for updates.”

This National level online examination for the award of Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), for Indian National candidates, is held by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi in collaboration with the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh at Bengaluru, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi (NCR), Guwahati, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, Srinagar (J&K) and Varanasi.

A total of 150 Fellowships would be awarded. 120 fellowships in the field of Biomedical Sciences with emphasis on Life Sciences (like microbiology, physiology, molecular biology, genetics, human biology, biotechnology, biochemistry, bioinformatics, biophysics, immunology, pharmacology, nursing, zoology, botany, environmental sciences, and veterinary Medicine (excluding Agriculture extension/ Soil Sciences, etc.) and thirty (30) fellowships for the work with an emphasis on Social Sciences like psychology, sociology, home science, statistics anthropology, social work, public health/health economics (agriculture economics will not be considered). Applications are invited only through online mode. No other mode is there.

This French giant is a manufacturer of ICU ventilators and Hyundai now helps the company in augmenting their ventilator production and help out in the supply chain also. It is quite important to note that ventilators are in high demand for providing relief to serious COVID 19 patients.

On partnering with Air liquid SS Kim, MD, and CEO, Hyundai Motor India said, “Ventilators and other respiratory aids are critical devices in the fight against COVID-19 and to this end, Hyundai and Air Liquide Medical Systems are working together to ensure a steady supply of ventilators in India. As a socially responsible and caring brand, Hyundai is committed to serving society in every way and will continue to support the government in India’s war against COVID-19.”

Anil Kumar, MD, Air Liquide Medical Systems India, said, “As a company that engages in supporting the healthcare professionals and systems worldwide, we have initiated a prompt response towards the fight against COVID-19 in support of the government of India.

Hyundai has been actively doing social service as it has also handed advanced diagnostic kits from South Korea to ICMR.

https://www.hyundai.com/in/en/hyundai-story/media-center/india-news.html#itemView

To fight with the novel coronavirus, scientists and researchers have been working endlessly to develop appropriate treatment for patients infected with the COVID-19. During testing the researchers have come across the Convalescent Plasma therapy to treat the novel coronavirus infection. Countries such as China and the US have already started the clinical trials of the Convalescent Plasma Therapy due to the absence of a coronavirus-specific treatment.

What is Convalescent Plasma Therapy?

When a pathogen like a coronavirus infects the immune system, and in return, the immune system started producing antibodies. Antibodies are a type of protein discharged by immune cells called B lymphocytes whenever they come in contact with a foreign attacker like COVID-19. White blood cells attack the identified invaders, and the body gets rid of the infection.

Plasma therapy is like blood transmission, reaping the antibody from a recovered patient and ingesting in an ill person. Convalescent plasma refers to the liquid part of the blood from recovered coronavirus patients. The concept behind convalescent plasma therapy is to transfer immunity in a sick person using the blood plasma of a healthy person. Therefore during this therapy, blood from recovered patients, which is rich in antibodies, and accustomed to treat other sick people.

How the treatment is given

Blood is drawn from a person recovering from COVID-19 disease. Blood Serum is isolated and tested for virus-neutralizing antibodies. The Convalescent serum that is rich in antibodies, is given to a COVID-19 patient showing severe symptoms. The method for donating plasma is similar to blood donation. It is necessary to examine the prospect before extracting the blood serum and must be declared cured. The plasma therapy is not simple to implement, especially due to the problem in obtaining significant amounts of plasma from survivors. In diseases like novel coronavirus, where most patients with severe symptoms are aged, and also suffer from other medical conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and so on, the effectiveness remains questionable.

Is it effective?

The convalescent serum has been used during past viral epidemics such as H1N1 Influenza virus in 2009 and the Ebola outbreak in 2018. It is not yet clear that which process will be followed by COVID-19 antibodies to fight the disease. However, it is expected that the infusion of plasma will promote acquired immunity until the patient develops their targeted ability to combat the virus. According to tests conducted on Coronavirus patients in China, therapy came out as a promising option for severe cases.

 The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has allowed Kerala to conduct plasma therapy. Kerala is the first state in the country that has been permitted to undertake this out. However, ICMR does not recommend it as a treatment option.

Our scientists are working on vaccine generation against COVID 19 but till now there is no victory we have gain. So this convalescent plasma therapy can act as a short-cut for a cure.

Disclaimer:  This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. Jugaadin.com does not claim responsibility for this information.