Detection and frequency of recombination in tomato-infecting begomoviruses of South and Southeast Asia

which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Background: Tomato-infecting begomoviruses are widely distributed across the world and cause diseases of high economic impact on wide range of agriculturally important crops. Though recombination plays a pivotal role in diversification and evolution of these viruses, it is currently unknown whether there are differences in the number and quality of recombination events amongst different tomato-infecting begomovirus species. To examine this we sought to characterize the recombination events, estimate the frequency of recombination, and map recombination hotspots in tomato-infecting begomoviruses of South and Southeast Asia. Results: Different methods used for recombination breakpoint analysis provided strong evidence for presence of recombination events in majority of the sequences analyzed. However, there was a clear evidence for absence or low Recombination events in viruses reported from North India. In addition, we provide evidence for non-random distribution of recombination events with the highest frequency of recombination being mapped in the portion of the N-terminal portion of Rep. Conclusion: The variable recombination observed in these viruses signified that all begomoviruse

Prevelance, risk factors and adverse perinatal outcomes of bacterial vaginosis in pregnancy

Background: Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) is the most common lower genital tract syndrome in women of age group 16 to 25years.BV is a disorder of the vaginal microbial ecosystem characterized by a shift in the vaginal flora, from the normally predominant Lactobacillus species to one dominated by a mixed flora. The prevalence of BV can be around 15-30% and upto 50% in pregnancy. This study aims to study the prevalence of BV and their adverse outcomes on pregnancy.Methods: It is a Cross Sectional Study at Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, at a tertiary care hospital, for a period of one and half year from November 2016-April 2018.Pregnant women attending antenatal clinic were enrolled after obtaining an informed consent and vaginal swab examination done. The sample size was 200.Results: The prevalence of BV in pregnant females was 18%. The major risk factors for BV in pregnancy were young age, low socioeconomic status and recent sexual activity. All patients who took treatment for BV had good outcome. Amsel criteria had low sensitivity but very high specificity(95%).Individually vaginal PH had a very high sensitivity(91.6%) when compared to the gold standard Gram stain.Conclusions: Routine screening is recommended for all pregnant women with risk factors and with symptoms. Early diagnosis and treatment in pregnant women who are asymptomatic and with no risk factors can prevent adverse outcome

A service evaluation of weight management for glycaemic control and remission of type 2 diabetes using traditional food in Nepal (Ho-DIRECT NEPAL): a single-arm trial

Summary Background Remission of early type 2 diabetes (T2D) is possible; however, diet programmes proven effective are unaffordable in many southeast Asian populations where T2D is more frequent and more aggressive at lower body weight and younger age. We evaluate an entirely food-based service. Methods This study employed a single-arm intervention and follow-up design for intervention evaluation in existing hospital people with T2D of under 5 years known duration. Individuals attending a diabetes clinic in Kathmandu with early T2D (<5 years) aged 30–70 years, BMI ≥23 kg/m2, were offered a low-cost nutritionally complete diet-programme, using traditional Nepali foods to provide 8-weeks ∼850 kcal/day weight loss induction, and then weight maintenance. The participants received 4-weekly dietetic appointments (30–45 min) and verbo-pictorial leaflets using household measures. Glucose-lowering medications (49/70 at baseline) were stopped at baseline or soon after. The study was registered as ISRCTN10671396, testing a traditional food-based intervention for weight loss and T2D remission. Findings For 70 individuals (45 female) invited between March 19, 2022 and September 19, 2023, baseline mean (SD) age was 48.6 (9.9) years, bodyweight 74.6 (9.5) kg, BMI 29.7 (3.6) kg/m2, known diabetes duration 2.5 (1.9) years, HbA1c on treatment 8.1 (1.6) %. At 12, 24 and 52 weeks respectively, evaluating n = 44, 46, 45, bodyweight was 70.1 (8.5), 69.8 (8.9), 70.0 (8.8) kg, HbA1c 6.8 (0.9), 6.9 (1.5), 7.1 (1.3) %; HbA1c 3 months) in 43%, 39% and 29%. The main reported adherence barriers were fears of weakness, hunger, and inconvenience during travel. Incentives were ease of the diet, reduced doses and costs of medications, and improved appearance. Interpretation Traditional food-based weight management can valuably improve control, reduce medication needs, and generate remissions of established T2D, but adherence barriers must be overcome to optimise outcomes

Breeding tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) for resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is an important vegetable crop cultivated in the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. Low productivity in India is due to occurrence of both biotic and abiotic stresses. Among the biotic stresses, tomato leaf curl disease, bacterial wilt, early blight and Groundnut Bud Necrosis Virus disease have become serious production constraints causing considerable yield loss in the major tomato growing areas of the country. Adoption of multiple disease resistant varieties or F1 hybrids would be the most appropriate way to address these diseases. At ICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru systematic breeding strategies were employed to pyramid genes for resistance to early blight, bacterial wilt and tomato leaf curl diseases and to develop advanced breeding lines&amp; F1 hybrids with triple disease resistance. Stable source of resistance to early blight and bi-partite begomo-virus (Tomato Leaf Curl New Delhi Virus) has been identified in Solanum habrochaites LA-1777. Validation with molecular markers linked to tomato leaf curl virus resistance revealed that LA-1777 carryTy2 and other putative resistant genes. Several high yielding dual purpose hybrids were also developed for fresh market and processing with high level of resistance to multiple diseases. Cherry tomato lines have also been bred for high TSS, total carotenoids, total phenols, flavonoids, vitamin C, acidity and lycopene content. IIHR-249-1, IIHR-2101 (Solanum habrochaites LA-1777), IIHR- 2866 and IIHR-2864 recorded high values for quality parameters like total carotenoids, lycopene, vitamin C, total phenols, flavonoids and TSS. Drought tolerant root stock has been developed by an interspecific cross between S. habrochaites LA-1777 and S. lycopersicum (15 SB SB). Resistant sources have also been identified against Tuta absoluta, a serious insect pest reported from major tomato growing areas in the country in recent time. High temperature tolerant breeding lines are in pipe line

Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Induces Pulmonary Artery Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) is a progressively devastating disease characterized by excessive proliferation of the Pulmonary Arterial Smooth Muscle Cells (PASMCs). Studies suggest that PAH and cancers share an apoptosis-resistant state featuring excessive cell proliferation. The proliferation of cancer cells is mediated by increased expression of Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 (EZH2), a mammalian histone methyltransferase that contributes to the epigenetic silencing of target genes. However, the role of EZH2 in PAH has not been studied. In this study, it is hypothesized that EZH2 could play a role in the proliferation of PASMCs.In the present study, the expression patterns of EZH2 were investigated in normal and hypertensive mouse PASMCs. The effects of EZH2 overexpression on the proliferation of human PASMCs were tested. PASMCs were transfected with EZH2 or GFP using nucleofector system. After transfection, the cells were incubated for 48 hours at 37°C. Proliferation and cell cycle analysis were performed using flow cytometry. Apoptosis of PASMCs was determined using annexin V staining and cell migration was tested by wound healing assay.EZH2 protein expression in mouse PASMCs were correlated with an increase in right ventricular systolic pressure and Right Ventricular Hypertrophy (RVH). The overexpression of EZH2 in human PASMCs enhances proliferation, migration, and decrease in the rate of apoptosis when compared to GFP-transfected cells. In the G2/M phase of the EZH2 transfected cells, there was a 3.5 fold increase in proliferation, while there was a significant decrease in the rate of apoptosis of PASMCs, when compared to control.These findings suggest that EZH2 plays a role in the migration and proliferation of PASMCs, which is a major hallmark in PAH. It also suggests that EZH2 could play a role in the development of PAH and can serve as a potential target for new therapies for PAH

The population genomics of begomoviruses: global scale population structure and gene flow

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The rapidly growing availability of diverse full genome sequences from across the world is increasing the feasibility of studying the large-scale population processes that underly observable pattern of virus diversity. In particular, characterizing the genetic structure of virus populations could potentially reveal much about how factors such as geographical distributions, host ranges and gene flow between populations combine to produce the discontinuous patterns of genetic diversity that we perceive as distinct virus species. Among the richest and most diverse full genome datasets that are available is that for the dicotyledonous plant infecting genus, <it>Begomovirus</it>, in the Family Geminiviridae. The begomoviruses all share the same whitefly vector, are highly recombinogenic and are distributed throughout tropical and subtropical regions where they seriously threaten the food security of the world's poorest people.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We focus here on using a model-based population genetic approach to identify the genetically distinct sub-populations within the global begomovirus meta-population. We demonstrate the existence of at least seven major sub-populations that can further be sub-divided into as many as thirty four significantly differentiated and genetically cohesive minor sub-populations. Using the population structure framework revealed in the present study, we further explored the extent of gene flow and recombination between genetic populations.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Although geographical barriers are apparently the most significant underlying cause of the seven major population sub-divisions, within the framework of these sub-divisions, we explore patterns of gene flow to reveal that both host range differences and genetic barriers to recombination have probably been major contributors to the minor population sub-divisions that we have identified. We believe that the global <it>Begomovirus </it>population structure revealed here could facilitate population genetics studies into how central parameters of population genetics namely selection, recombination, mutation, gene flow, and genetic drift shape the global begomovirus diversity.</p

Extent of knowledge and attitudes on plagiarism among undergraduate medical students in South India - a multicentre, cross-sectional study to determine the need for incorporating research ethics in medical undergraduate curriculum

BACKGROUND: Undergraduate medical students in India participate in various research activities However, plagiarism is rampant, and we hypothesize that it is the lack of knowledge on how to avoid plagiarism. This study’s objective was to measure the extent of knowledge and attitudes towards plagiarism among undergraduate medical students in India. METHODS: It was a multicentre, cross-sectional study conducted over a two-year period (January 2018 – December 2019). Undergraduate medical students were given a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire which contained: (a) Demographic details; (b) A quiz developed by Indiana University, USA to assess knowledge; and (c) Attitudes towards Plagiarism (ATP) questionnaire. RESULTS: Eleven medical colleges (n = 4 government medical colleges [GMCs] and n = 7 private medical colleges [PMCs]) participated. A total of N = 4183 students consented. The mean (SD) knowledge score was 4.54 (1.78) out of 10. The factors (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]; 95% Confidence interval [CI]; p value) that emerged as significant predictors of poor knowledge score were early years of medical education (0.110; 0.063, 0.156; < 0.001) and being enrolled in a GMC (0.348; 0.233, 0.463; < 0.001).The overall mean (SD) scores of the three attitude components namely permissive, critical and submissive norms were 37.56 (5.25), 20.35 (4.20) and 31.20 (4.28) respectively, corresponding to the moderate category. CONCLUSION: The overall knowledge score was poor. A vast majority of study participants fell in the moderate category of attitude score. These findings warrant the need for incorporating formal training in the medical education curriculum