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(Background) Numerous reports on carbapenem resistance in different parts of India have been published, yet there are insufficient studies on the prevalence of antibiotic resistance in the northeast region of the country. This study evaluated the emergence of carbapenem resistance in the clinical isolates collected in Mizoram. (Results) A total of 141 Gram-negative clinical isolates were collected from the two hospitals, including the Civil Hospital in Lunglei and the Synod Hospital in Aizawl. The isolates include Escherichia coli (n = 62, 43.9%), Klebsiella spp. (n = 43, 30.4%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 9, 6.3%), Serratia marcescens (n = 3, 2.1%), Proteus mirabilis (n = 2, 1.4%), Shigella spp. (n = 4, 2.8%), Enterobacter spp. (n = 6, 4.2%) and Acinetobacter spp. (n = 12, 8.5%). The isolates were found to be resistant to meropenem (11%), colistin (48%), tigecycline (25%) and cefotaxime (50%). A total of four E. coli and one Shigella sonnei encoded the blaOXA-48-like gene. The blaCTX-M-1 gene was detected in 13 isolates, of which eight were E. coli, two Shigella flexneri, and one isolates each of K. pneumoniae, K. oxytoca and Shigella sonnei, respectively. (Conclusion) Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae are common among other parts of India, despite limited access to antibiotics, the emergence of resistance in the northeastern region is worrying.

We developed a new deterministic neutron source spectrum code EPEN - Energy of Proton Energy of Neutron - for a given lithium target thickness, sample angular coverage and proton energy from the reaction threshold to the three-body break-up threshold. The angular differential cross sections of the 7Li(p,n0)7Be and 7Li(p,n1)7Be reactions evaluated by Liskien and Paulsen were adopted above 1.95 MeV while the functional form suggested by Macklin and Gibbons was adopted for the 7Li(p,n0)7Be reaction cross section near threshold. The spectra obtained by EPEN are validated by the experimental spectra and also compared with the spectra predicted by two Monte Carlo codes, SimLiT and PINO. The results of comparison are discussed in detail.

IntroductionPlasmodium malariae is the most common non-falciparum species in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite this, data on its genetic diversity is scarce. Therefore, we aimed to establish a P. malariae genotyping approach based on size polymorphic regions that can be easily applied in molecular epidemiological studies.MethodsFour potential genotyping markers, Pm02, Pm09, P. malariae thrombospondin-related anonymous protein (pmtrap), and P. malariae merozoite surface protein fragment 2 (pmmsp1 F2) were amplified via nested PCR and analysed using automated capillary gel electrophoresis.ResultsWe observed the highest allelic diversity for pmtrap (MOI = 1.61) and pmmsp1 F2 (He = 0.81). Further applying the two markers pmtrap and pmmsp1 F2 on a different sample set of 21 P. malariae positive individuals followed up over one week, we saw a high consistency in their performance. The results show a large complexity and high dynamics of P. malariae infections in the asymptomatic Gabonese study population.DiscussionWe successfully implemented a new genotyping panel for P. malariae consisting of only two markers: pmtrap and pmmsp1 F2. It can be easily applied in other settings to investigate the genotype diversity of P. malariae populations, providing further important data on the molecular epidemiology of this parasite species.

Abstract Background Species-specific microsatellite markers are desirable for genetic studies and to harness the potential of MAS-based breeding for genetic improvement. Limited availability of such markers for coffee, one of the most important beverage tree crops, warrants newer efforts to develop additional microsatellite markers that can be effectively deployed in genetic analysis and coffee improvement programs. The present study aimed to develop new coffee-specific SSR markers and validate their utility in analysis of genetic diversity, individualization, linkage mapping, and transferability for use in other related taxa. Results A small-insert partial genomic library of Coffea canephora, was probed for various SSR motifs following conventional approach of Southern hybridisation. Characterization of repeat positive clones revealed a very high abundance of DNRs (1/15 Kb) over TNRs (1/406 kb). The relative frequencies of different DNRs were found as AT >> AG > AC, whereas among TNRs, AGC was the most abundant repeat. The SSR positive sequences were used to design 58 primer pairs of which 44 pairs could be validated as single locus markers using a panel of arabica and robusta genotypes. The analysis revealed an average of 3.3 and 3.78 alleles and 0.49 and 0.62 PIC per marker for the tested arabicas and robustas, respectively. It also revealed a high cumulative PI over all the markers using both sib-based (10-6 and 10-12 for arabicas and robustas respectively) and unbiased corrected estimates (10-20 and 10-43 for arabicas and robustas respectively). The markers were tested for Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, linkage dis-equilibrium, and were successfully used to ascertain generic diversity/affinities in the tested germplasm (cultivated as well as species). Nine markers could be mapped on robusta linkage map. Importantly, the markers showed ~92% transferability across related species/genera of coffee. Conclusion The conventional approach of genomic library was successfully employed although with low efficiency to develop a set of 44 new genomic microsatellite markers of coffee. The characterization/validation of new markers demonstrated them to be highly informative, and useful for genetic studies namely, genetic diversity in coffee germplasm, individualization/bar-coding for germplasm protection, linkage mapping, taxonomic studies, and use as conserved orthologous sets across secondary genepool of coffee. Further, the relative frequency and distribution of different SSR motifs in coffee genome indicated coffee genome to be relatively poor in microsatellites compared to other plant species.

Abstract Immunization with radiation-attenuated Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) sporozoites (SPZ) in PfSPZ Vaccine, has provided better vaccine efficacy (VE) against controlled human malaria infection (CHMI) with the same parasites as in the vaccine (homologous) than with genetically distant parasites (heterologous). We sought to identify an immunization regimen that provided similar VE against CHMI with homologous and heterologous Pf for at least 9 weeks in malaria-naïve adults. Such a regimen was identified in part 1 (optimization), an open label study, and confirmed in part 2 (verification), a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in which VE was assessed by cross-over repeat CHMI with homologous (PfNF54) and heterologous (Pf7G8) PfSPZ at 3 and 9–10 weeks. VE was calculated using Bayesian generalized linear regression. In part 1, vaccination with 9 × 105 PfSPZ on days 1, 8, and 29 protected 5/5 (100%) subjects against homologous CHMI at 3 weeks after the last immunization. In part 2, the same 3-dose regimen protected 5/6 subjects (83%) against heterologous CHMI at both 3 and 9–10 weeks after the last immunization. Overall VE was 78% (95% predictive interval: 57–92%), and against heterologous and homologous was 79% (95% PI: 54–95%) and 77% (95% PI: 50–95%) respectively. PfSPZ Vaccine was safe and well tolerated. A 4-week, 3-dose regimen of PfSPZ Vaccine provided similar VE for 9–10 weeks against homologous and heterologous CHMI. The trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02704533.

Soil microarthropods play a crucial role in agricultural ecosystems and are necessary for the upkeep of fertile and productive soils. Limited knowledge exists regarding the composition of soil microarthropod communities in changing agricultural and impervious land use systems. Hence, we conducted a comparative analysis of the soil microarthropod diversity in shifting cultivation and impervious land areas, as well as the surrounding natural forest ecosystem in Aizawl, Mizoram, northeast India. Additionally, we evaluated the influence of shifting cultivation and impervious land use regimes on the diversity of these microarthropods. The investigation was done between 2022 and 2023. Soil and litter samples (n=50) were gathered from three distinct land use systems. The soil microarthropods were extracted using the Berlese funnel method. Microarthropod taxa were identified down to the most specific taxonomic level feasible. The variety of soil microarthropods was significantly affected by the practice of shifting cultivation and in the impervious land areas, in comparison to the natural forest system. The soil chemical profiles were notably altered in the shifting agriculture and impermeable land use systems, indicating their detrimental effects on soil microarthropod diversity. This study presented the startling information on the diversity of soil microarthropods and their relationship with the land-use systems in Mizoram, a region in northeast India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The indispensable role of Animal Science in drug discovery: A comprehensive review" delves into the crucial contribution of animal science in the field of drug development and discovery. This comprehensive review explores the multifaceted aspects of animal science that make it an indispensable component of the drug discovery process. By examining the utilization of various animal models, from invertebrates to mammals, this paper highlights the significance of animal research in elucidating mechanisms of disease, studying drug efficacy, toxicity and understanding pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Additionally, it discusses the ethical considerations and regulations associated with animal experimentation, emphasizing the importance of animal welfare and the implementation of alternative methods when feasible. Moreover, the review sheds light on emerging technologies and approaches, such as in silico modeling and organ-on-a-chip systems, that aim to reduce animal usage while maintaining high-quality research outcomes. Overall, this review paper provides a comprehensive understanding of how animal science continues to play an indispensable role in driving drug discovery, improving human and animal health, and shaping the future of medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]