Field evaluation of Trichoderma harzianum, Pochonia chlamydosporia and Pasteuria penetrans in a root knot nematode infested black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) garden in India

Two fungal bioagents (Trichoderma harzianum and Pochonia chlamydosporia) and a bacterial endoparasite (Pasteuria penetrans) were evaluated for biological control of nematodes in a black pepper garden in Waynad District of Kerala, India for five years (1998-2001) in a randomized block design with six treatments replicated thrice. The yellowing of vines in the experimental plot has decreased in all the treatments after the first year onwards. After four years, the lowest incidence of yellowing (15.25 %) was noticed in plots treated with phorate followed by plots treated with P. chlamydosporia (20.78 %) and P. penetrans (24.13 %). The highest mean yield (1.83 kg vine-1) was obtained in P. chlamydosporia treated plots followed by combined application of phorate and potassium phosphonate (1.50 kg vine-1). The lowest mean population of root-knot nematodes in black pepper roots was observed in phorate + potassium phosphonate treated plants followed by P. penetrans treated plants. The final nematode level was the lowest in P. chlamydosporia treated plots. The study has clearly proved the efficacy of these bioagents, especially P. chlamydosporia for managing root knot nematodes in black pepper gardens

Development of a Real-Time PCR based protocol for quantifying Radopholus similis in field samples

The burrowing nematode, Radopholus similis, is an obligate migratory endoparasite. Currently detection of this nematode is carried out mostly by physically extracting them from soil and then observing under a light microscope. To identify this nematode, a thorough knowledge about their morphological features is quite indispensable. Developing a DNA based detection technique makes it more convenient and accurate in detection. Though PCR based methods have been reported by earlier workers, developing a Real-Time PCR based method will enable estimating their population in field samples. In this study, Real-Time PCR primers were designed using the DNA sequences from the ITS region of R. similis. It can detect R. similis up to the limit of 100 fg μL-1 DNA. The real time PCR based detection serves as an efficient tool for the detection and estimation of this nematode from soil samples

Amenorrhea and pituitary human chorionic gonadotrophin production in a 38-year-old presenting as pregnancy of unknown location: case report and review of literature

Background: Amenorrhea and extraplacental production of serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), particularly in young women, can mimic a pregnancy of unknown location. Elevated serum hCG in the absence of pregnancy can pose a diagnostic dilemma and has led to potentially harmful and unwarranted interventions including chemotherapeutic agents like methotrexate or have led to delay in necessary medical interventions in women. We report a case to demonstrate that amenorrhea and extraplacental human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) production in young women can mimic a pregnancy of unknown location. Furthermore, we performed a critical review of literature on pituitary hCG production. Case: A 38-year-old woman with a diagnosis of Silver-Russell syndrome, a unicornuate uterus, history of right oophorectomy for a benign serous cystadenoma and a desire for pregnancy presenting with a provisional diagnosis of pregnancy of unknown location.After performing a thorough review of history, physical examination, ultrasound exams, and a review of hormone analysis [including hCG, Tumor markers, Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), Luteinizing hormone (LH), Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH), Estradiol (E2) levels], we confirmed the diagnosis of premature ovarian insufficiency and pituitary hCG production. Conclusions: In women, serum levels of hCG may increase with age, and are not always an indicator of pregnancy. Therefore, it is imperative to interpret false-positive test results and rule out the extraplacental production of hCG. This will help prevent unnecessary surgical procedures and treatment, including chemotherapy

Evaluation of fungal bioagents for management of root-knot nematodes in ginger and turmeric fields

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) and turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) are important herbaceousspices cultivated extensively in different states of India. Being vegetatively propagated, theyare challenged with several pests and diseases including plant parasitic nematodes. Root-knot nematode problem in these crops is currently managed with nematicides, cover cropsand organic amendments. Realizing the scope of biological control in these crops, a series ofexperiments were conducted at Indian Institute of Spices Research, Calicut, Kerala to screenand evaluate various fungal bioagents for control of root knot nematodes (Meloidogyneincognita) infesting ginger and turmeric under field conditions. Ten antagonistic fungi wereevaluated in different field experiments conducted in root-knot infested ginger and turmericfields at two locations. The most promising isolates that suppressed root knot nematodeswere Aspergillus nidulans (Is.10),  Fusarium oxysporum (Is.11), Paecilomyces lilacinus (Is.36),Trichoderma viride (Is. 25), Verticillium lecanii (Is.35) and Pochonia chlamydosporia (Is.32). Fromthese, three fungi viz.  F. oxysporum, T. viride and P. chlamydosporia were further tested inginger fields using two delivery systems, soil bed application and seed rhizome dippinggenerally applicable in dry shed treatment. The final results showed that  P. chlamydosporiasignificantly suppressed root knot nematodes in ginger and gave the maximum yieldirrespective of the mode of application. &nbsp

Facial reactions to emotional films in young children with conduct problems and varying levels of callous-unemotional traits

Background: Elevated levels of callous-unemotional (CU) traits have proven useful for identifying a distinct subgroup of children whose conduct problems (CP) are early emerging, severe, persistent, and underpinned by aberrant emotional processing. The early childhood emotional experiences and expressions of CP subtypes are poorly understood, despite their importance to understanding the problematic attachments and atypical social affiliation experienced by children with elevated CU traits. The current study aimed to test for differences in facial emotional reactions to mood-inducing film clips in children with CP and varying levels of CU traits. Method: We compared facial emotional reactions during a developmentally appropriate mood induction task in a mixed-sex sample of clinic-referred preschool children (Mage = 3.64 years, SD = 0.63, 66.9% male) classified as CP with elevated levels of CU traits (CP + CU; n = 25) versus low CU traits (CP-only; n = 47), and typically developing children (TD; n = 28). Results: Relative to TD children, children with clinical CP showed less congruent and more incongruent facial emotional expressions to sad and happy film clips, controlling for child sex, age, and ethnicity. Conclusions: Consistent with older samples, young children with CP show atypical facial emotional expressions in response to positive and negative emotional stimuli. Findings have implications for developmental models of childhood antisocial behavior and can inform the development of targeted interventions

Decreasing Physical Activity Levels across Religious Sikh Male South Asian Migrant Population in Kent, UK: A Public Health Concern

Physical activity (PA) plays a crucial role in reducing the risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). We investigated intergenerational physical activity level (PAL) among first and second generation Sikh Punjabi male subjects (n = 137), recruited from two Sikh temples in Medway, UK. Employing a crosssectional survey PA was quantified using the validated Global PA Questionnaire (GPAQ). Data were analysed using SPSS 20 and Epi Info software. Ninety-one per cent of the subjects were classified as overweight. Mean PAL range was sedentary to low levels of PA (1.45–1.60). Comparisons between first and second generation Punjabi male subjects showed that the two groups are equally culpable in not engaging in work-related or recreational PA, but for the second generation this is significantly lower. Low PAL is a contributory factor to increased risk and prevalence of NCDs among this population and a public health concern. Efforts to increase PA in this group should continue

Arsenicosis, possibly from contaminated groundwater, associated with noncirrhotic intrahepatic portal hypertension.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Idiopathic noncirrhotic intrahepatic portal hypertension (NCIPH), a chronic microangiopathy of the liver caused by arsenicosis from use of contaminated groundwater, was reported from Asia. This study aimed to see, if in the twenty-first century, arsenicosis was present in NCIPH patients at our hospital and, if present, to look for groundwater contamination by arsenic in their residential locality. METHODS: Twenty-seven liver biopsy proven NCIPH patients, 25 portal hypertensive controls with hepatitis B or C related cirrhosis and 25 healthy controls, matched for residential locality, were studied. Eighty-four percent to 96 % of study subjects belonged to middle or lower socioeconomic category. Arsenicosis was looked for by estimation of arsenic levels in finger/toe nails and by skin examination. Arsenic levels in nails and in ground water (in NCIPH patients with arsenicosis) was estimated by mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Nail arsenic levels were raised in five (10 %) portal hypertensive study subjects [two NCIPH patients (both had skin arsenicosis) and three portal hypertensive controls]. All of these five patients were residents of West Bengal or Bangladesh. Skin arsenicosis was noted in three NCIPH patients (11 %) compared to none of disease/healthy controls. Ground water from residential locality of one NCIPH patient with arsenicosis (from Bangladesh) showed extremely high level of arsenic (79.5 μg/L). CONCLUSIONS: Arsenicosis and microangiopathy of liver, possibly caused by environmental contamination continues in parts of Asia. Further studies are needed to understand the mechanisms of such 'poverty-linked thrombophilia'

Prevalence and factors associated with parental concerns about development detected by the Parents' Evaluation of Developmental Status (PEDS) at 6-month, 12-month and 18-month well-child checks in a birth cohort

Objectives: Early identification of developmental vulnerability is vital. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of moderate or high developmental risk on the Parents' Evaluation of Developmental Status (PEDS) at 6-month, 12-month and 18-month well-child checks; identify associated risk factors; and examine documentation of the PEDS at well-child checks. Design, participants: A prospective birth cohort of 2025 children with 50% of those approached agreeing to participate. Demographic data were obtained via questionnaires and linked electronic medical records. Telephone interviews were conducted with parents to collect PEDS data. Primary and secondary outcomes: Multiple logistic regression analyses identified risk factors for moderate or high developmental risk on the PEDS. A Cumulative Risk Index examined the impact of multiple risk factors on developmental risk and documentation of the PEDS at the well-child checks. Results: Of the original cohort, 792 (39%) had 6-month, 649 (32%) had 12-month and 565 (28%) had 18-month PEDS data. Parental concerns indicating moderate or high developmental risk on the PEDS were 27% (95% CI 24 to 30) at 6 months, 27% (95% CI 24 to 30) at 12 months and 33% (95% CI 29 to 37) at 18 months. Factors associated with moderate or high developmental risk were perinatal risk (OR 12 months: 1.7 (95% CI 1.1 to 2.7)); maternal Middle Eastern or Asian nationality (OR 6 months: 1.6 (95% CI 1.1 to 2.4)), (OR 12 months: 1.7 (95% CI 1.1 to 2.7)); and household disadvantage (OR 6 months: 1.5 (95% CI 1.0 to 2.2). As the number of risk factors increased the odds increased for high or moderate developmental risk and no documentation of the PEDS at well-child checks. Conclusions: Children with multiple risk factors are more likely to have parental concerns indicating

Mobilized Peripheral Blood Stem Cells Versus Unstimulated Bone Marrow As a Graft Source for T-Cell-Replete Haploidentical Donor Transplantation Using Post-Transplant Cyclophosphamide.

Purpose T-cell-replete HLA-haploidentical donor hematopoietic transplantation using post-transplant cyclophosphamide was originally described using bone marrow (BM). With increasing use of mobilized peripheral blood (PB), we compared transplant outcomes after PB and BM transplants. Patients and Methods A total of 681 patients with hematologic malignancy who underwent transplantation in the United States between 2009 and 2014 received BM (n = 481) or PB (n = 190) grafts. Cox regression models were built to examine differences in transplant outcomes by graft type, adjusting for patient, disease, and transplant characteristics. Results Hematopoietic recovery was similar after transplantation of BM and PB (28-day neutrophil recovery, 88% v 93%, P = .07; 100-day platelet recovery, 88% v 85%, P = .33). Risks of grade 2 to 4 acute (hazard ratio [HR], 0.45; P \u3c .001) and chronic (HR, 0.35; P \u3c .001) graft-versus-host disease were lower with transplantation of BM compared with PB. There were no significant differences in overall survival by graft type (HR, 0.99; P = .98), with rates of 54% and 57% at 2 years after transplantation of BM and PB, respectively. There were no differences in nonrelapse mortality risks (HR, 0.92; P = .74) but relapse risks were higher after transplantation of BM (HR, 1.49; P = .009). Additional exploration confirmed that the higher relapse risks after transplantation of BM were limited to patients with leukemia (HR, 1.73; P = .002) and not lymphoma (HR, 0.87; P = .64). Conclusion PB and BM grafts are suitable for haploidentical transplantation with the post-transplant cyclophosphamide approach but with differing patterns of treatment failure. Although, to our knowledge, this is the most comprehensive comparison, these findings must be validated in a randomized prospective comparison with adequate follow-up