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The rugose spiralling whitefly (RSW), an invasive polyphagous insect introduced into India in 2016, has threatened coconut and other crops. Natural infestation intensity data indicated, in order, the following most likely RSW hosts: Cocos nucifera L. (75.83%) > Dypsis lutescens H. Wendel (55.83%) > Annona squamosa L. (54.17%) > Musa paradisiaca L. (43.33%). A preference analysis of these four host plants showed that coconut was the most favoured (8.17 spirals per 30 cm2 and 33.04 eggs per spiral). Olfactometry of the headspace leaf volatiles revealed that C. nucifera (3.05 ± 0.27 min) and D. lutescens (1.67 ± 1.67 min) had longer residence durations and attracted more RSW females than the other hosts. According to principal component analysis, those potential hosts shared six volatile compounds, the most peculiar of which was 2-ethyl-1-hexanol. Gas chromatography coupled electroantennographic detection analysis revealed that 2-ethyl-1,3-dioxolane, 1,3-dioxolane, 2-propyl, butanoic acid, 2-hydroxy-2-methyl-methyl ester, m-ethyltoluene, p-dichlorobenzene and 2-ethyl-1-hexanol evoked consistent olfactory responses in RSW. More studies on these chemicals might help develop parakairomones for managing RSW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Echinococcus species are zoonotic parasites that cause hydatid disease, affecting humans and animals. The seroprevalence of hydatid disease reflects the level of exposure to this parasite and can be used as an indicator of the burden of the disease in a population. Aim: To determine the seroprevalence of hydatid disease. Materials and Methods: The study was a retrospective observational study conducted at JIPMER hospital, a tertiary care centre located in Puducherry, Southern India. In this study, hydatid serological data from January 2019 to December 2022 were collected in March 2023 and retrospectively analysed in April 2023. All the serum samples that tested positive for Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay (ELISA) for echinococcosis during the period from January 2019 to December 2022 were included. The demographic details such as age, gender, place of residence, etc., of the patients whose samples were included were collected from their case records. These samples were then analysed using Microsoft Excel for proportions and percentages. Results: The study showed that the seroprevalence of hydatid disease was 70 (34%) out of 206 samples tested. The seroprevalence was higher in the older age group (>45 years), with 41 (58.6%) cases. It was observed that males and females were almost equally infected, with minor differences in the prevalence of 37 (52.9%) males and 33 (47.1%) females. Conclusion: As the prevalence of hydatid disease in Southern India was unknown, it was observed to be lower when compared to other states of India. This study has provided valuable information on the level of exposure of hydatid disease in the population and will help formulate disease control and prevention strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental and genetic factors are associated with development of Pseudoexfoliation syndrome (XFS). Here we intended to elucidate the association of candidate genes in relevance to UV exposure in these patients. This is a case-control study of 309 subjects (N = 219 controls and 90 XFS cases) from India. PCR based direct sequencing was performed for candidate genes (LOXL1, POMP and TMEM136) followed by genotype and haplotype analysis. The promoter methylation status was assessed by Methylation specific PCR based direct sequencing of genomic DNA for all samples. The methylation status was compared with that of primary fibroblasts cultures established from patient's Tenon's tissue samples in subset of these patients. SNPs rs3825942, rs41435250, rs8818 (LOXL1) and rs3737528 (POMP) showed significant association with XFS. LOXL1 gene haplotype GAGC (rs1048661- rs3825942- rs41435250–rs8818) was associated with lower risk for XFS with a p value 4.1961 × 10−6 (OR =0; 95%CI, 0.000–0.003). POMP gene haplotypes for intronic SNPs (rs1340815- rs3737528- rs913797) TCC and TTC were associated with increased risk for the disease (OR > 1.0). Significant correlation for SNPs rs3825942 of LOXL1 (ρ= −0.132) and rs3737528 of POMP (ρ = 0.12) was observed with measure of lifetime UV exposure (CUVAF value). Reduced LOXL1 gene expression was observed in cultured tenon fibroblasts from the patients that correlated with differential methylation of the Sp-1 binding sites at -253, -243bp upstream to the transcription start site of LOXL1 promoter region. Our results suggest a possible interaction for LOXL1 gene haplotype (GAGC) with the measure of ocular UV exposure in pseudoexfoliation syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been a dramatic increase in the frequency of arboviral disease epidemics among humans and domestic animals worldwide in recent decades. Some of these infections have also undergone significant geographical expansion owing to uncontrolled urbanization leading to changes in vector distribution and/or adaptation of the etiologic agent to more anthropophilic vectors. Arboviral infections such as chikungunya have re-emerged in certain parts of the world, such as India (where chikungunya re-emerged in 2006 after 32 years of quiescence). Existing surveillance systems for arboviral infections in developing countries face several issues, such as being dependent on reporting of loosely defined clinical syndromes and infrequent laboratory confirmation. The recent re-emergence of Zika virus infections and its complications in South America underscore the urgent need for advancements in scientific knowledge on the biology of the arboviral agents and their vectors, innovations concerning diagnostic technologies, vector control measures, and therapeutic approaches. India, a tropical country, harbors an abundance of arthropod vectors capable of hosting and propagating viral infections. These vectors can transmit infections within humans, animals and also across species. This review focuses on viral infections in humans transmitted by arthropod vectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are emerging as an important multidrug-resistant pathogen causing nosocomial infections, predominantly bacteremia and urinary tract infections. VRE bacteremia has caused a significant increase in the duration of the hospital stay and mortality and had caused high public health threat due to limited treatment options. Materials and methods: Between October 2017 and September 2020, all consecutive patients with culture-proven bloodstream infection with Enterococcus species, isolated for the first time, were included in the study. A total of 427 Enterococcus species were identified, and antimicrobial susceptibility tests were performed and interpreted using Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute guidelines. Results: Of the total 427 Enterococcus species isolated, 63 (45.6%) were VRE. Among them, 51/63 (81%) were Enterococcus faecium (E. faecium) and 5/63 (8%) were Enterococcus faecalis. There was an increased trend of VRE rate in the bloodstream infections of 6.12% (2018), 13.2% (2019), and 19.2% (2020). The majority of the VRE patients [43/63 (68%)] were admitted to the intensive care units (ICUs). Vancomycin A (VanA) is the most common phenotype isolated from 51/63(81%) patients. Conclusion: This increasing trend of VRE bacteremia is a red alert to the clinicians and the infection control practitioners, so that strict antibiotic policies and proper adherence to the infection control practices can be initiated to reduce the VRE rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and Objectives: There is a paucity of data regarding the outcomes of Heart transplantation in children from the Indian subcontinent. The data of patients under the age of 18 undergoing an isolated heart transplantation was analyzed for patient clinical profiles and risk factors for early and medium-term mortality. Hospital mortality was defined as death within 90 days of transplantation and medium-term survival as follow up of up to 6 years. Materials and Methods: A total of 97 patients operated between March 2014 and October 2019 were included in this study.Data was collected about their INTERMACS status, pulmonary vascular resistance, donor heart ischemic times, donor age, donor to recipient weight ratio and creatinine levels. Results: The age range was from 1 to 18 with a mean of 10.6 ± 4.6 years. 67 % patients were in INTERMACS category 3 or less.12 children were on mechanical circulatory support at the time of transplant. The 90 day survival was 89 %.The risk factors for hospital mortality was lower INTERMACS category (odd's ratio 0.2143, P = 0.026), elevated creatinine (odd's ratio 5.42, P = 0.076) and elevated right atrial pressure (odd's ratio 1.19, P = 0.015).Ischemic time, pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) and PVR index (PVRI) had no effect on 90 day survival. Kaplan Meier estimates for 5 year survival was 73 %.The medium term survival was affected by INTERMACS category (Hazard ratio 0.7, P =.078) , donor age > 25 (Hazard ratio 1.6, P = 0.26) and raised serum creatinine values.(Hazard ratio 2.7, P = 0.012). All the survivors are in good functional class. Conclusions: Excellent outcomes are possible after heart transplantation in a pediatric population even in a resource constrained environment of a developing economy. More efforts are needed to promote pediatric organ donation and patients need to be referred in better INTERMACS category for optimal outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cervical carcinoma is the second most common malignancy of the female genital tract in India. The highest incidence occurs at Chennai. This study was conducted on 30 women with biopsy-proved squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix of stage IIb. The neutrophil count increased significantly in cancer patients compared to control subjects. Total protein, glycogen and total lipid increased in neutrophils of cervical cancer patients. The level of cholesterol, triglycerides and fatty acids increased significantly in neutrophils of such patients compared to control subjects. The activity of alkaline phosphatase increased significantly in cervical cancer patients. Upon treatment with cobalt-60, these changes were brought to near-normal levels. This study highlights the impairment in the neutrophil function in cervical cancer patients, which may lead to reduced immune status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]