Anthropophilic Behavior of Aedes albopictus: A Predominant Vector of Dengue/Chikungunya in Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala, South India

Human host seeking behavior of Aedes albopictus was evaluated using human landing collections conducted during both dry and wet seasons of 2010-2012 in Thiruvanathapuram district, Kerala. Collections were segregated hourly to provide a time distribution of host-seeking behavior. Aedes albopictus’ day time landing collections comprised of 36.89% and maintained 3-4 per man hour (PMH) density during morning hours whereas 2-3 per man hour density during afternoon hours. PMH density of Aedes albopictus (P < 0.001) and Aedes vittatus (P < 0.05) varied significantly between pre and post monsoon seasons. PMH density of Aedes albopictus is correlated with humidity at pre monsoon season (r = 0.64) but slightly correlated with post monsoon season (r = 0.35). Night time collections showed the presence of Ae. albopictus and Ae. vittatus from both indoor and outdoor landing collections. Density of both Ae. albopictus and Ae. vittatus significantly varied in Day time and Indoor (Night time) collections (P < 0.05). Density of Aedes albopictus significantly varied in Day time and Thinnai (Night time) collections (P < 0.05). Aedes albopictus was the only species that varied both in Indoor and Thinnai night time collections (P < 0.05). This study revealed that the Ae. albopictus mosquitoes predominantly bite during day time (95.5%) compared to night time in Thinnai (3.9%). Increase in dengue cases reported during the post monsoon period in Kerala was due to the increased human host seeking behavior (71.3%) of Ae. albopictus

Preliminary estimates of potential areas for seaweed farming along the Indian coast

India has enormous potential for seaweed mariculture; however, mass scale commercial farming of seaweeds is yet to take off successfully in the country. R&D efforts over the years have resulted in techno-scientific improvements in farming technologies such as floating rafts, net-tubes, long-lines, and cage based IMTA systems for seaweed culture. However, a few challenges remain, particular in identifying potential sites, its demarcation and developing suitable and sustainable spatial plans for seaweed farming on a country-wide, commercial perspective. In view of the emerging importance of seaweed mariculture and policy thrust by the Government of India, an all India preliminary site selection survey suitable for seaweed farming was conducted by ICAR-CMFRI along all maritime states of India. From this survey a total of 23,970 ha area were identified as potential seaweed farming along the Indian coast. In the present article, we present details of the suitable sites and its demarcation on a preliminary spatial map for facilitating the imminent expansion and effective adoption of seaweed farming in the country

Track E Implementation Science, Health Systems and Economics

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/138412/1/jia218443.pd

Frequent Itemsets Used in Mining of Train Delays

The Indian railway network has a high traffic density with Vijayawada as its gravity center. The star-shape of the network implies heavily loaded bifurcations in which knock-on delays are likely to occur. Knock-on delays should be minimized to improve the total punctuality in the network. Based on experience, the most critical junctions in the traffic flow are known, but others might be hidden. To reveal the hidden patterns of trains passing delays to each other, we study, adapt and apply the state-of-the-art techniques for mining frequent episodes to this specific problem

Unraveling the Potential Role of <i>Tecomella undulata</i> in Experimental NASH

The pathophysiology of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is complex, owing to its diverse pathological drivers and, until recently, there were no approved drugs for this disease. Tecomella is a popular herbal medicine used to treat hepatosplenomegaly, hepatitis, and obesity. However, the potential role of Tecomella undulata in NASH has not yet been scientifically investigated. The administration of Tecomella undulata via oral gavage lowered body weight, insulin resistance, alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), triglycerides, and total cholesterol in western diet sugar water (WDSW) fed mice but had no effect on chow diet normal water (CDNW) fed mice. Tecomella undulata improved steatosis, lobular inflammation, and hepatocyte ballooning and resolved NASH in WDSW mice. Furthermore, Tecomella undulata also alleviated the WDSW-induced Endoplasmic Reticulum stress and oxidative stress, enhanced antioxidant status, and thus reduced inflammation in the treated mice. Of note, these effects were comparable to saroglitazar, the approved drug used to treat human NASH and the positive control used in the study. Thus, our findings indicate the potential of Tecomella undulata to ameliorate WDSW-induced steatohepatitis, and these preclinical data provide a strong rationale for assessing Tecomella undulata for the treatment of NASH

Unraveling the Potential Role of Tecomella undulata in Experimental NASH

The pathophysiology of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is complex, owing to its diverse pathological drivers and, until recently, there were no approved drugs for this disease. Tecomella is a popular herbal medicine used to treat hepatosplenomegaly, hepatitis, and obesity. However, the potential role of Tecomella undulata in NASH has not yet been scientifically investigated. The administration of Tecomella undulata via oral gavage lowered body weight, insulin resistance, alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), triglycerides, and total cholesterol in western diet sugar water (WDSW) fed mice but had no effect on chow diet normal water (CDNW) fed mice. Tecomella undulata improved steatosis, lobular inflammation, and hepatocyte ballooning and resolved NASH in WDSW mice. Furthermore, Tecomella undulata also alleviated the WDSW-induced Endoplasmic Reticulum stress and oxidative stress, enhanced antioxidant status, and thus reduced inflammation in the treated mice. Of note, these effects were comparable to saroglitazar, the approved drug used to treat human NASH and the positive control used in the study. Thus, our findings indicate the potential of Tecomella undulata to ameliorate WDSW-induced steatohepatitis, and these preclinical data provide a strong rationale for assessing Tecomella undulata for the treatment of NASH

UPLC-MS/MS quantitative analysis and structural fragmentation study of five Parmotrema lichens from the Eastern Ghats

International audienceComparative phytochemical analysis of five lichen species [Parmotrema tinctorum (Delise ex Nyl.) Hale, P. andinum (Mull. Arg.) Hale, P. praesorediosum (Nyl.) Hale, P. grayanum (Hue) Hale, P. austrosinense (Zahlbr.) Hale] of Parmotrema genus were performed using two complementary UPLC-MS systems. The first system consists of high resolution UPLC-QToF-MS/MS spectrometer and the second system consisted of UPLC-MS/MS in Multiple Reaction Monitoring (MRM) mode for quantitative analysis of major constituents in the selected lichen species. The individual compounds (47 compounds) were identified using Q-ToF-MS/MS, via comparison of the exact molecular masses from their MS/MS spectra, the comparison of literature data and retention times to those of standard compounds which were isolated from crude extract of abundant lichen, P. tinctorum. The analysis also allowed us to identify unknown peaks/compounds, which were further characterized by their mass fragmentation studies. The quantitative MRM analysis was useful to have a better discrimination of species according to their chemical profile. Moreover, the determination of antioxidant activities (ABTS inhibition) and Advance Glycation Endproducts (AGEs) inhibition carried out for the crude extracts revealed a potential antiglycaemic activity to be confirmed for P. austrosinense