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African swine fever (ASF), considered as the most dreadful swine disease due to its very high mortality, emerged in India in 2020. The complete genome analysis of ASF viruses isolated during the first outbreaks in India showed a few unique non‐synonymous mutations in MGF 369‐11L, MGF 505‐4R, K205R and B263R genes. Frame shifts in the protein coding sequences were observed in DP60R, ASFV‐G_ACD 00190, MGF 110‐10‐L‐MGF110‐14L fusion, MGF 360‐14L and I267L genes of Indian ASF viruses as compared to ASFV/Georgia/2007. Complete genome based phylogenetic analysis of p72‐genotype‐II viruses showed the clustering of Indian isolates with ASFV/Wuhan/2019 in a separate clade. Phylogenetic analysis of concatenated sequences of 14 open reading frames (ORF) having single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) showed distinct grouping of Indian ASFVs with other Asian ASFVs. This is the first complete genome characterization of ASF viruses isolated from domestic pigs in India. The results indicate that number of Tandem Repeat Sequence (TRS) in the intergenic region between I73R and I329L genes, and the 14 ORFs with SNP reported in this study could be the genetic determinants to differentiate the closely related p72‐genotype II viruses circulating in Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

African swine fever (ASF) is the most dreaded disease of pigs, which can cause mortality of up to 100%. Following disease outbreaks with high mortality in pigs in two states of north‐east India, namely Arunachal Pradesh and Assam in early 2020, we confirmed the first occurrence of African swine fever (ASF) in domestic pigs in India by real‐time PCR, virus isolation and nucleotide sequencing. Genetic analyses in three independent genomic regions (B646L gene encoding the p72 protein, E183L gene encoding the p54 protein and the central variable region (CVR) of B602L gene) showed that the Indian ASF viruses are similar to the post‐2007‐p72‐genotype II viruses reported from Asia and Europe, suggesting the transboundary expansion of ongoing ASF outbreaks in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A retrospective investigation of pig tissue samples from different classical swine fever virus (CSFV) outbreaks was undertaken employing RT‐PCR for possible coinfection with other swine viruses. Four samples from three different outbreaks were found to be coinfected with Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV). Phylogenetic analysis was done based on complete E gene sequenced from all four coinfected samples. This revealed a new introduction of a divergent subgroup of JEV genotype I in India. This is the first report of detection of coinfection of JEV and CSFV in pigs and the first incidence of JEV genotype I in pigs in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bovine ephemeral fever virus (BEFV) is an evolving arbovirus reported across tropical, subtropical and temperate climatic zones globally. This study reveals prominent BEFV outbreaks in India, emerging annually during monsoons in subtropical areas accompanied by a congenial abundance of the vector population. PCR‐based detection of viral genomic RNA in the blood samples collected during outbreaks of 2018–2019 for the first time confirmed the presence of BEFV in India. Phylogenetic analysis based on the glycoprotein gene of BEFV showed the current isolates to have high sequence homology with Middle Eastern lineage with nearly 97%, identity to Turkey (BEFV Ad12/TUR) and Israel (Israel 2006) isolates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Equine glanders is an infectious and notifiable bacterial disease caused by Burkholderia mallei. The disease has been reported in South American, African and Asian countries including India. Here, we present the outcome of glanders serosurveillance carried out between January 2015 and December 2018 to know the status of equine glanders among different states in India. A total of 102,071 equid sera from 299 districts of twenty‐one states and one union territory were tested for glanders. Samples were screened with Hcp1 indirect ELISA followed by confirmatory diagnosis by CFT. During this four‐year surveillance, a total of 932 glanders‐positive cases were detected from 120 districts of 12 states. The study also revealed increasing trend of glanders from 2016 onwards with maximum occurrence in northern India. Overall seroprevalence ranged between 0.62% (95% CI, 0.52–0.72) and 1.145% (95% CI, 1.03–1.25). Seasonal shifting from winter to summer (March to June) coincided with highest number glanders incidence with corresponding seroprevalences of 1.2% (95% CI, 1.09–1.30). The present surveillance unveils territorial ingression of glanders to six states like Jammu & Kashmir, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi and Tamil Nadu. In addition, re‐emerging cases have been reported in Maharashtra, Haryana and Punjab after a gap of 10 years. Lack of awareness, little veterinary care and unrestricted movement of equids across state borders might have led to the introduction and establishment of the infection to these states. We believe that information from this study will provide a baseline data on glanders for devising surveillance and control strategies in India. Being a zoonotic disease, the persistence of glanders poses a potential threat to occupationally exposed humans especially equine handlers and veterinarians. Therefore, targeted surveillance of human population from each glanders outbreak is also recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To assess the prevalence of oral potentially malignant disorders and to determine the potential risk factors for its development in Indian population. Materials and Methods. This cross-sectional study was carried out on 1241 individuals in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. A questionnaire was designed to record information about sociodemographic characteristics, oral hygiene practices, dietary habits, and risk factors for oral potentially malignant disorders. Oral mucosal lesions were examined by a skilled person. Results. The overall prevalence of oral potentially malignant disorders was found to be 13.7% with oral submucous fibrosis (8.06%) found to be more common and erythroplakia (0.24%) found to be least prevalent. Results of Logistic Regression analysis showed that males (OR = 2.09, P value < 0.0001) who were ever consumers of tobacco (OR = 2.06, P value = 0.030) and areca nut chewing (OR = 2.64, P value = 0.004) were more likely to develop oral potentially malignant disorders compared to never consumers. Diabetic (OR = 2.21, P value = 0.014) and underweight individuals (OR = 2.23, P value = 0.007) were more likely to suffer from oral potentially malignant disorders. Conclusion. The study reinforces the association of tobacco and areca nut consumption with oral potentially malignant disorders. An association of oral potentially malignant disorders with diabetes and BMI was confirmed by this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Population structure and reproductive biology of an important and less studied freshwater carp, Labeo boggut (Sykes, 1839), from two perennial rivers of Central India were studied between January 2008 and December 2009. Maximum three annual rings were found and used to assess growth data in samples representing 0 to 3+ year classes. LWR indicated positive allometric growth in males and females of both rivers. Asymptotic length ( L∞) and growth co-efficient ( K) were 22.5 cm and 0.5 year−1 for the Betwa River; and 23.6 cm and 0.6 year−1 for the Ken River. Growth performance index (ø') was higher in the Ken than in the Betwa. Reproduction was between June and September and GSI of both sexes were maximal in mid-June, thereafter declining until September. Mean size at first sexual maturity was 12.2 cm (n = 12) for females and 13.2 cm (n = 8) for males in the Betwa, and 12.5 cm (n = 13) TL for females and 13.1 cm (n = 9) TL for males in the Ken. The exploitation level ( E) and maximum allowable exploitation ( Emax) limit of L. boggut was 0.23 and 0.36 in the Betwa, whereas it was 0.33 and 0.37 in the Ken. These presented biological traits and population characters of L. boggut from both rivers provide first basic information for use in future assessment and conservation planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a research study concerning the Glyptothorax brevipinnis' record in India. Study shows that Glyptothorax species has a total measurement of 70.29 millimeters and its specimens are deposited in National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (NBFGR) and Indian Council of Agricultural Research. This species thrived in the cool waters of the Ken River.

The length-weight relationships (LWRs) were studied of 588 fish covering eight families, 13 genera and 14 species ( Notopterus notopterus, Gudusia chapra, Labeo calbasu, Puntius sarana, Cirrhinus mrigala, Ompok bimaculatus, Mystus tengara, Mystus cavasius, Sperata aor, Sperata seenghala, Eutropiichthys vacha, Wallago attu, Rhinomugil corsula, and Mastacembelus armatus) captured in the Betwa River (tributary of the Yamuna River) and Gomti River (tributary of the Ganga River) from December 2007 to January 2009. The b values varied between 2.4 ( M. armatus) and 3.52 ( P. sarana), with the mean b = 2.96 at P < 0.001 for all species. The observations are significant for conservation and management because the Betwa River has been approved under India’s first interlinking plan with the Ken River, and no length-weight data had thus far been reported for the Gomti River. The objective was to evaluate the LWRs of these two unstudied rivers for fisheries management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A solar dryer integrated with photovoltaic powered DC fan has been designed and installed at Solar Energy Park, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi. The dryer has been coupled to a solar air heater having blackened surface of absorber for improved energy collection efficiency and a drying chamber with chimney. An analytical expression for characteristic equation for photovoltaic/thermal mixed mode dryer has been derived as a function of design and climatic parameters. The experiment was carried out for forced mode under no load conditions during April 2008 and validated with theoretical results for New Delhi climatic condition. This paper also shows the detailed analysis of thermal energy, exergy, and electrical energy gain by considering four weather conditions (a, b, c, and d type) for five different cities (New Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai, Srinagar, and Jodhpur) of India. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The length-weight relationships (LWRs) were studied of 441 fish individuals covering six families, eight genera and 12 freshwater species ( L. dyochilus, L. calbasu, L. gonius, L. fimbriatus, P. sarana, L. boggut, C. mrigala, W. attu, B. bagarius, E. vacha, N. notopterus and S. aor) captured in the River Ken (tributary of the Yamuna River) from December 2007 to January 2009. The b value ranged from 3.52 for Cirrihinus mrigala, to 2.11 for Labeo gonius, with a mean of 3.03 at p < 0.001 for all species. The present observations are significant for conservation and management because the Ken River has been approved under India's first interlinking plan with the River Betwa. The objective was to evaluate the LWRs of the freshwater fish species of an unimpacted and understudied river, which serves as a baseline for comparison to other relatively altered tropical Indian rivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]