The use of honey in healing a recalcitrant wound following surgical treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa

Ancient civilizations used honey to heal wounds. Despite the rediscovery of honey by modern physicians1 its use in conventional medicine, unlike in complementary medicine, remains limited. Much anecdotal evidence, some clinical observations, some animal models and some randomised controlled trials support the efficacy of honey in managing wounds2,3 , but few detailed descriptions of the use of honey in healing difficult surgical wounds have previously been published

Fatty acid metabolism in denervated muscle of frog in vitro

Denervation-​atrophy in frog gastrocnemius muscle for 1 month resulted in depletions in fat content and fatty acid formation and an increase in mitochondrial palmitate and pyruvate oxidn. There was no change in mitochondrial yield

Rank 2 local systems and abelian varieties II

LetX/Fq be a smooth, geometrically connected, quasi projective scheme. Let Ebe a semisimple over convergent F-isocrystal on X. Suppose that irreducible summands Ei of E have rank 2, determinant ̄Qp (−1), and infinite monodromy at∞. Suppose further that for each closed point x of X, the characteristic polynomial of E at x is in Q[t]⊂Qp[t]. Then there exists a non-trivial open set U⊂X such that E|U comes from a family of abelian varieties on U. As an application, let L1 be an irreducible lisse ̄Ql sheaf on X that has rank 2, determinant ̄Ql(−1), and infinite monodromy at∞. Then all crystalline companions to L1 exist (as predicted by Deligne’s crystalline companions conjecture) if and only if there exists a non-trivial open set U⊂X and an abelian scheme πU: AU→U such that L1|U is a summand of R1(πU)∗ ̄Ql

Evaluation of Australian Ladybird Beetle Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant against Green Shield Scale Chloropulvinaria psidii (Maskell) on some Medicinal Plants

Severe infestation of green shield scale Chloropulvinaria psidii (Green) was observed during 2003-04 on the medicinal plants namely Withania somnifera, Madhuca longifolia, Mimusops elengi and Wrightia tinctoria. The Australian ladybird beetle Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant was released @ 20 larvae/plant. Following the release of C. montrouzieri , the scale population declined from 173.48 to 4.35/plant on W. somnifera, 30.49 to 1.20/plant on M. longifolia, 90.20 to 3.57/plant on M. elengi and 240.86 to 4.92/plant on W. tinctoria. There was 89.13 to 97.96% reduction in scale population 45-75 days after release of C. montrouzieri on the above medicinal plants. No other natural enemy, except C. montrouzieri, was recorded on C. psidii. There was no correlation between temperature, relative humidity or rainfall and scale population. Hence, the reduction in population of green shield scale was attributed mainly to the action of C. montrouzieri

Colonization of Introduced Parasitoid, Encarsia guadeloupae Viggiani, on the Exotic Spiralling Whitefly, Aleurodicus dispersus Russell, Infesting Ornamentals

The exotic spiralling whitefly, Aleurodicus dispersus Russell, was observed to infest several ornamentals including rose, hibiscus, poinsettia and acalypha in and around Bangalore. Efforts were made to colonize the aphelinid parasitoid, Encarsia guadeloupae Viggiani, during 2002 - 2003 on the above ornamentals infested with the spiralling whitefly. A total of five predators, namely, Axinoscymnus puttarudriahi Kapur and Munshi, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Muls., Anegleis cardoni (Weise), Mallada astur (Banks) and Cybocephalus sp. were observed on the spiralling whitefly on these ornamentals during the study but their impact on the spiralling whitefly was negligible. Inoculative releases of E. guadeloupae were made on rose (156 adults), hibiscus (179 adults), poinsettia (124 adults) and acalypha (247 adults). Encarsia guadeloupae was recovered within a month after its release with 3.43-32.94% parasitism. A steady decline in the population of spiralling whitefly was observed on these ornamentals. Encarsia guadeloupae was found to be the only parasitoid encountered throughout the study and the total parasitism steadily increased up to 96.00% on rose, 86.40% on hibiscus, 90.40% on poinsettia and 39.86% on acalypha at six months from release. Parasitism by E. guadeloupae was significant and negatively correlated with the population of spiralling whitefly on all the four ornamentals

A study of the role of intervention in the final outcome of acute pancreatitis

Background: Acute pancreatitis is a common disease which varies in severity, from mild self-limiting pancreatic inflammation to severe pancreatic necrosis with life-threatening sequelae. As per the recent recommendations early intensive care with delayed intervention and step-up approach when indicated has definite survival advantages over the risks associated with early surgical procedures. The present study was aimed at evaluating the mortality and morbidity risk in patients undergoing procedural intervention in acute pancreatitis.Methods: This was a prospective study done in Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Hospital from April 2012- September 2014. All patients with a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis were included in this study. A total of 110 patients were analysed. Routine lab parameters, serum amylase, lipase, lipid profile, calcium, CRP, LDH, CT abdomen, CXR and 2D Echo was done for all patients. Procedural intervention was planned as per the guidelines.Results: Patients were given early intensive care as per the initial severity scores. 25 patients required intervention. Serum LDH, amylase, lipase and CT severity index were better predictors of requirement of intervention and death. Open necrosectomy was done in 15 patients (13.6%), laparoscopic necrosectomy in 3 patients (2.7%) and step up approach was tried in 7 patients (6.4%). Patients who were tried step up approach were monitored closely for any deterioration in their clinical condition to decide about surgery. 7 out of 8 patients who underwent surgery died.  Alcoholic pancreatitis that underwent intervention had a high risk of mortality.Conclusions: Intensive care monitoring with delayed intervention had a better survival benefit. Patients subjected to minimally invasive interventions had a better chance of survival.

Record of Thrips on Mango

During a trial in 2009 at Moorapoor Village, Dharmapuri district, Tamil Nadu, for control of mango hoppers and thrips using entomo-pathogens, inflorescences were seen to harbour different species of thrips. Close microscopic observation revealed presence of Frankliniella schultzei (Tryb.), Thrips palmi Karny, T. hawaiiensis (Morgan) and T. subnudula. However, Thrips palmi was the predominant species whereas, for the first time Frankliniella schultzai and Thrips subnudula (Karny, 1927) are reported here on inflorescence of mango in India

Biological Suppression of Major Mealybug Species on Horticultural Crops in India

Mealybugs, known to be 'hard to kill pests', live in protected areas and most stages in their life cycle are covered in a waxy coating. Several insecticides are found ineffective against mealybugs. Fortunately, mealybugs - being sessile insects - are more amenable to biological control. The exotic parasitoid, Leptomastix dactylopii How., was found to be highly effective in suppressing citrus mealybug, Planococcus citri (Risso.) permanantly on citrus, sapota, guava, pomegranate and coffee. This is one of the recent successes in classical biological control attempts in India. However, the Australian ladybird beetle, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Muls., often provides spectacular control of heavy infestation of P. citri on acid lime, lemon, sweet orange, pummelo, Crossandra and custard apple. Though Anagyrus dactylopii (How.), is a potential parasitoid of pink hibiscus mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green), on grapes, releases of C. montrouzieri only help in suppression of the pink hibiscus mealybug on grapes, ber, guava, sapota, custard apple, citrus and hibiscus. The encyrtid parasitoid, Tetracnemoidea indica (Ayyar), was able to check the oriental mealybug, Planococcus lilacinus (Ckll.) on acid lime and pomegranate. The predators, C. montrouzieri and Spalgis epeus Westwood, also play a major role in suppression of P. lilacinus on guava, ber, sapota and chow-chow. The local parasitoid, A. dactylopii was seen to play a major role in suppression of spherical mealybug, Nipaecoccus viridis (Maskell) on citrus and jackfruit. Nevertheless, releases of C. montrouzieri are found highly effective in controlling N. viridis on acid lime and pummelo. Similarly release of C. montrouzieri is found to be highly effective in controlling striped mealybug, Ferrisia virgata (Ckll.), on guava, tuberose and Acalypha in 30-40 days of release. A local parasitoid, Aenasius advena Comp., also plays a major role in suppression of F. virgata on guava, mango, guava, hibiscus, fig, citrus, etc. Release of the coccinellid predator, C. montrouzieri, was found very effective in controlling the mango coccid, Rastrococcus iceryoides (Green) on mango and also on the medicinal plant Decalepis hamiltonii. The encyrtid, Praleurocerus viridis (Agarwal), was found very effective in reducing populations of R. iceryoides on guava. Spalgis epeus was found to be the predominant predator of the papaya mealybug, Paracoccus marginatus Williams and de Granara Willink, but releases of the exotic parasitoid, Acerophagus papayae(Noyes&Schauff), only provide excellent control of P. marginatus within 3-4 months of release. The second successful classical biological control attempt on mealybugs in India. The brinjal mealybug, Coccidohystrix insolita (Green), is known to attack brinjal, Coleus, Hibiscus, etc. Cryptolaemus montrouzieri effectively controlled mealybugs on these three crops in 30-40 days of release. Verticillium lecanii Zimm. (Phule bugicide @ 2g/L) is found to be effective in killing the mealybug. Other fungal pathogens, viz., Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill and Metarhizium anisopliae (Metch.), are also seen to infect mealybugs in rainy season under humid conditions

Influence of some Pesticides on Entomopathogenic Fungus Lecanicillium (=Verticillium) lecanii (Zimm.) ZARE & GAMS

An in vitro study was conducted to determine the interaction effect of ten pesticides tested at field recommended dose on conidial germination, vegetative growth and sporulation of Lecanicillium lecanii(ZIMM.) ZARE&GAMS. Compatibility of L. lecanii to different pesticides was found to be varied. Conidial germination was 99.3 and 85.7% in Pongamia oil and acephate, whereas, it was totally inhibited by the presence of chlorothalonil, iprodion + carbendazim, carbendazim and thiophanate methyl indicating that these pesticides were highly toxic. Dinocap recorded as moderately toxic while endosulfan, abamectin and ethion were least toxic based to the germination of conidia. So also Iprodion + carbendazim did not and carbendazim allow L. lecanii to put forth mycelium growth in their presence. Thiophanate methyl, Pongamia oil, acephate, endosulfan, ethion and chlorothalonil were observed to be innocuous pesticides registering growth of mycelium upto 2.33, 2.23, 2.23, 2.03, 2.03 and 2.00 cm dia., respectively, from 0.6 cm dia. held in the center of Petri plate on 14th day after treatment. As far as sporulation is concerned, Pongamia oil alone recorded the maximum yield of 47.2x106 conidia/ml followed by 18x106 conidia/ml, in chlorothalonil as against 20x106 conidia/ml in control, which means that the pongamia oil exhibited synergistic effect on L. lecanii, yielding more conidial spores. Thus, based on in vitro interaction study, pongamia oil alone was found to be safe to the entamopathogenic fungus L. lecanii in nature and iprodion + carbendazim and carbendazim were found to be highly toxic