The Impact of HAART on the Respiratory Complications of HIV Infection: Longitudinal Trends in the MACS and WIHS Cohorts

Objective: To review the incidence of respiratory conditions and their effect on mortality in HIV-infected and uninfected individuals prior to and during the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Design: Two large observational cohorts of HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected men (Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study [MACS]) and women (Women's Interagency HIV Study [WIHS]), followed since 1984 and 1994, respectively. Methods: Adjusted odds or hazards ratios for incident respiratory infections or non-infectious respiratory diagnoses, respectively, in HIV-infected compared to HIV-uninfected individuals in both the pre-HAART (MACS only) and HAART eras; and adjusted Cox proportional hazard ratios for mortality in HIV-infected persons with lung disease during the HAART era. Results: Compared to HIV-uninfected participants, HIV-infected individuals had more incident respiratory infections both pre-HAART (MACS, odds ratio [adjusted-OR], 2.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.2-2.7; p<0.001) and after HAART availability (MACS, adjusted-OR, 1.5; 95%CI 1.3-1.7; p<0.001; WIHS adjusted-OR, 2.2; 95%CI 1.8-2.7; p<0.001). Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was more common in MACS HIV-infected vs. HIV-uninfected participants pre-HAART (hazard ratio [adjusted-HR] 2.9; 95%CI, 1.02-8.4; p = 0.046). After HAART availability, non-infectious lung diseases were not significantly more common in HIV-infected participants in either MACS or WIHS participants. HIV-infected participants in the HAART era with respiratory infections had an increased risk of death compared to those without infections (MACS adjusted-HR, 1.5; 95%CI, 1.3-1.7; p<0.001; WIHS adjusted-HR, 1.9; 95%CI, 1.5-2.4; p<0.001). Conclusion: HIV infection remained a significant risk for infectious respiratory diseases after the introduction of HAART, and infectious respiratory diseases were associated with an increased risk of mortality. © 2013 Gingo et al

Development and validation of integrated pest management modules against spotted pod borer Maruca vitrata Fabricius on garden bean Lablab purpureus var. typicus (L.)

To reduce the detrimental effect of insecticides, an effective Integrated Pest Management (IPM) module is necessary for the eco-friendly management of Maruca vitrata in garden bean ecosystem. Two field trials were carried out to evaluate the efficacy of different insecticides and botanicals against M. vitrata on Lablab purpureus var. typicus. Two seasons field evaluation of insecticides revealed that chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC  was the most effective treatment to control the pest recorded 0.11 and 0.36 larva/plant in two seasons, respectively after two rounds of spray followed by flubendiamide 20 WG (0.46 and 0.92 larva/ plant) and emamectin benzoate 5 SG (0.50 and 0.95 larva/plant). Among botanicals tested, commercial neem formulation and 5% Ageratina adenophora recorded the least larval count of 1.64 &amp; 1.05 larva/plant and 2.24 &amp; 1.45 larva/plant in two seasons, respectively. IPM modules were developed with three effective insecticides (chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC, flubendiamide 20 WG and emamectin benzoate 5 SG), two effective botanicals (commercial neem formulation 1500 ppm and 5% A. adenophora) along with the pheromone trap for validation. All the IPM modules were equally effective in managing M. vitrata population on L. purpureus and recorded a significantly (at 5 %) lower larval population than the farmer’s practice. The residues of chlorantraniliprole, flubendiamide and emamectin benzoate reached below the detectable level at the time of harvest. The population reduction of predatory coccinellids and spiders was also lower in IPM modules than in farmer’s practice. An increased benefit cost (1.95 to 1.99) ratio was observed in IPM modules. 

Degree days and demography of Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on maize at different temperatures

The temperature has a direct effect on the activity of insect pests and their developmental rate. The increasing temperature could profoundly influence the population dynamics, life cycle, length of reproduction, fecundity, and longevity. In the present study, the impact of different temperatures (32, 33, 34, 35 and 36°C) on the degree days and population fitness of Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) was evaluated under artificial conditions. The results showed that for S. frugiperda, an average of 690.38 degree days was required to complete the total life span. The total larval developmental time, pupal duration and adult longevity required 237.38, 184.47 and 228.10 degree days, respectively. The life history data of S. frugiperda were analysed by using TWOSEX-MSChart. An increase in temperature reduced the developmental time of S. frugiperda at age x and stage j. The highest reproductive value (vx) of S. frugiperda was obtained at 34°C (600 individuals per day) and was found to be reduced at a further increase in temperature of 35°C (260 individuals per day) and 36°C (120 individuals per day). These results signify the improved fitness of S. frugiperda with increasing temperature levels, and the degree days help to predict the development pattern of S. frugiperda based on heat accumulation

Prediction of number of generations of serpentine leaf miner, Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess) (Agromyzidae: Diptera) in India assessed by CLIMEX under climate change scenario

The serpentine leaf miner, Liriomyza trifolii, is an invasive pest that affects plants, causing damage to the leaves and reducing crop yield. Number of generations of serpentine leaf miner was assessed under current and expected future climate change scenarios. The assessment was done for Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP 8.5) future climate change scenario in India. L. trifolii would have had 16-19 generations, in base line and 17-24 in 2050-time frame under future climate change in Andhra Pradesh conditions. Under Arunachal Pradesh conditions, it would have had 6-14 generations in base line and is expected to complete the same number of generations in 2050, scenario. Under Sikkim conditions 3 - 4 and 5 number of generations were assessed for present and future climate change scenario. Suitability of the localities was expressed in terms of Ecoclimatic index (EI) ranging from 0 to &gt; 20 by combining the interaction effect of various stress indices and growth indices for the development of L. trifolii. It was observed that in temperate areas the pest incidence may increase in future, in contrast to the decreasing trend in areas where already the prevailing temperatures are near upper thresholds. It is therefore expected that number of generations of L. trifolii would increase with the rising temperatures under climate change situations

A review on lepidopteran studies in Mizoram: Overview, present status, hurdles and prospects, along with a compiled checklist of moths:

The Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot, one of 36 globally recognized hotspots, spanning seven countries across five northeastern Indian states. Though ecologically important, the Indian side of this hotspot is under-explored, particularly concerning insect diversity. The present work deals with the state of Mizoram, where there is more than 84 % forest cover and a conducive tropical climate which support a rich insect fauna. The aim was to collate and assess the available records of Lepidoptera diversity in Mizoram, understand the gaps in knowledge and emphasize the region\u27s contribution to India\u27s general insect biodiversity. Historical literature, museum records and recent surveys from 1890 to 2023 were reviewed. Findings indicate that over 250 species of Lepidoptera have been reported from Mizoram, with 103 being first records and 18 as new species described. Interestingly, the Northeast states of India which including Mizoram has nearly 32.92 % of India\u27s documented Lepidoptera species in an area that only covers around 8 % of the country\u27s land. New ant and beetle species have been found along with butterflies and moths. Nonetheless, much of the state does not remain unexplored due to past insurgencies, rugged terrain and inaccessibility. The results highlight the need for detailed biodiversity documentation in northeastern India and suggest that Mizoram has significant potential for entomological discoveries in the future. The analysis concludes that extensive and systematic surveys are necessary to determine the true insect diversity of under-represented hotspot regions and to yield meaningful benefits for conservation and biogeographical research

Solanum melongena leaf extract based zinc oxide nanoparticles synthesis using green chemistry concepts

1273-1277Nanoparticles of zinc oxide (ZnO NPs) have been synthesised from naturally available Eggplant, Solanum melongena leaf extract. The methodology has been optimized to obtain ZnO NPs which as are characterized using UV-Visible, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and FT-Infra red (FTIR) tools to confirm their nano dimensions and chemical properties. The SPR band is obtained at 389 nm in UV-visible absorption spectrum confirmes the formation of ZnO NPs while the presence of -OH, -C-O, -CH2 and &ndash;COO groups at vibrational frequencies of 3500, 105, 3000 and 1640 cm-1, respectively are observed from FTIR. Further, the SEM images show regular flakes like structure, and the average distribution of the nanoparticle is found to be around 100 nm. The newly synthesised ZnO NPs using leaf extract of Solanum melongena show considerable activity against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. The ZnO NPs is proved to be more potent against Staphylococcus aureus than E. coli

Solanum melongena leaf extract based zinc oxide nanoparticles synthesis using green chemistry concepts

Nanoparticles of zinc oxide (ZnO NPs) have been synthesised from naturally available Eggplant, Solanum melongena leaf extract. The methodology has been optimized to obtain ZnO NPs which as are characterized using UV-Visible, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and FT-Infra red (FTIR) tools to confirm their nano dimensions and chemical properties. The SPR band is obtained at 389 nm in UV-visible absorption spectrum confirmes the formation of ZnO NPs while the presence of -OH, -C-O, -CH2 and –COO groups at vibrational frequencies of 3500, 105, 3000 and 1640 cm-1, respectively are observed from FTIR. Further, the SEM images show regular flakes like structure, and the average distribution of the nanoparticle is found to be around 100 nm. The newly synthesised ZnO NPs using leaf extract of Solanum melongena show considerable activity against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. The ZnO NPs is proved to be more potent against Staphylococcus aureus than E. coli