Delimitation of lymphatic filariasis transmission risk areas: a geo-environmental approach

BACKGROUND: The Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (GPELF) depends upon Mass Drug Administration (MDA) to interrupt transmission. Therefore, delimitation of transmission risk areas is an important step, and hence we attempted to define a geo-environmental risk model (GERM) for determining the areas of potential transmission of lymphatic filariasis. METHODS: A range of geo-environmental variables has been selected, and customized on GIS platform to develop GERM for identifying the areas of filariasis transmission in terms of "risk" and "non-risk". The model was validated through a 'ground truth study' following standard procedure using GIS tools for sampling and Immuno-chromotographic Test (ICT) for screening the individuals. RESULTS: A map for filariasis transmission was created and stratified into different spatial entities, "risk' and "non-risk", depending on Filariasis Transmission Risk Index (FTRI). The model estimation corroborated well with the ground (observed) data. CONCLUSION: The geo-environmental risk model developed on GIS platform is useful for spatial delimitation purpose on a macro scale

Mating alters gene expression patterns in Drosophila melanogaster male heads

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Behavior is a complex process resulting from the integration of genetic and environmental information. <it>Drosophila melanogaster </it>rely on multiple sensory modalities for reproductive success, and mating causes physiological changes in both sexes that affect reproductive output or behavior. Some of these effects are likely mediated by changes in gene expression. Courtship and mating alter female transcript profiles, but it is not known how mating affects male gene expression.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We used <it>Drosophila </it>genome arrays to identify changes in gene expression profiles that occur in mated male heads. Forty-seven genes differed between mated and control heads 2 hrs post mating. Many mating-responsive genes are highly expressed in non-neural head tissues, including an adipose tissue called the fat body. One fat body-enriched gene, <it>female-specific independent of transformer </it>(<it>fit</it>), is a downstream target of the somatic sex-determination hierarchy, a genetic pathway that regulates <it>Drosophila</it> reproductive behaviors as well as expression of some fat-expressed genes; three other mating-responsive loci are also downstream components of this pathway. Another mating-responsive gene expressed in fat, <it>Juvenile hormone esterase </it>(<it>Jhe</it>), is necessary for robust male courtship behavior and mating success.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our study demonstrates that mating causes changes in male head gene expression profiles and supports an increasing body of work implicating adipose signaling in behavior modulation. Since several mating-induced genes are sex-determination hierarchy target genes, additional mating-responsive loci may be downstream components of this pathway as well.</p

Perceived needs of disease vector control programs: A review and synthesis of (sub)national assessments from South Asia and the Middle East.

Systems for disease vector control should be effective, efficient, and flexible to be able to tackle contemporary challenges and threats in the control and elimination of vector-borne diseases. As a priority activity towards the strengthening of vector control systems, it has been advocated that countries conduct a vector-control needs assessment. A review was carried out of the perceived needs for disease vector control programs among eleven countries and subnational states in South Asia and the Middle East. In each country or state, independent teams conducted vector control needs assessment with engagement of stakeholders. Important weaknesses were described for malaria, dengue and leishmaniases regarding vector surveillance, insecticide susceptibility testing, monitoring and evaluation of operations, entomological capacity and laboratory infrastructure. In addition, community mobilization and intersectoral collaboration showed important gaps. Countries and states expressed concern about insecticide resistance that could reduce the continued effectiveness of interventions, which demands improved monitoring. Moreover, attainment of disease elimination necessitates enhanced vector surveillance. Vector control needs assessment provided a useful planning tool for systematic strengthening of vector control systems. A limitation in conducting the vector control needs assessment was that it is time- and resource-intensive. To increase the feasibility and utility of national assessments, an abridged version of the guidance should focus on operationally relevant topics of the assessment. Similar reviews are needed in other regions with different contextual conditions

Use of adult male bonnet monkeys (Macaca radiata) for testing the biological activity of gonadotropin releasing hormone and its analogues

The effect of injecting agonistic and antagonistic analogues of gonadotropin releasing hormone analogues on serum testosterone levels was checked in adult and immature male bonnet monkeys. Of the agonistic analogues Buserelin, Ovurelin and D-Phe<SUP>6</SUP> Gln<SUP>8</SUP> GnRH were found to be most potent in increasing serum testosterone levels in the adult male bonnet monkeys. While 27-month-old monkeys responded well to des Gly<SUP>10</SUP> GnRH, only marginal response was observed in the case of 15-month-old monkeys. Studies carried out with Ovurelin indicated that it was not effective in causing desensitization in adult monkeys. The antagonistic analogue was effective in blocking nocturnal surge of serum testosterone. Based on these studies it is suggested the adult male bonnet monkeys can be effectively used for testing the activity of GnRH analogues

Transition metal doped smart glass with pressure and temperature sensitive luminescence

202308 bcvcAccepted ManuscriptOthersThe National Natural Science Foundation of China; The National Science Fund for Excellent Young Scholars of China; Fundamental Research Funds for the Central University, the Tip-Top Scientific and Technological Innovative Youth Talents of Guangdong Special Support Program; Open Fund of State Key Laboratory of Information Photonics and Optical CommunicationsPublishe

The role of AgNPs in selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol in vapor phase using morphologically tailored MnO₂ nanorods in the presence of air

Abstract Vapor phase benzyl alcohol (BnOH) oxidation reaction is investigated over a pre–synthesised morphologically designed shape controlled spherical silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) decorated on manganese oxide nanorods (α–MnO₂NRs) in the presence of air. The combination of silver nanoparticles and the α–MnO₂NRs interface enabled the increased oxygen vacancies (Ov) and exhibited the strong metal–support interactions (SMSI) in surface oxygen activation. The effect of Ag loadings is significant and the optimal 1 wt% Ag loaded catalyst (1Ag/MnO₂NRs) showed excellent performance in benzyl alcohol oxidation due to high adsorption capacity, enhanced oxygen vacancies and red–ox properties. The DFT calculations confirmed that the high BnOH surface adsorption was exhibited over Ag modified MnO₂NRs than the bare α–MnO₂NRs. The optimized 1Ag/α–MnO₂NRs catalytic system achieved 2.6 fold higher activity compared to bare α–MnO₂NRs. These results provided novel insights on the rational design of shape dependent metal/metal oxide based heterogeneous catalysts