Larvicidal efficacy of Toddalia asiatica (Linn.) Lam against two mosquito vectors Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus

The hexane, acetone and methanol extracts of mature fruits and leaves from Toddalia asiatica was investigated to establish its bio-control potentiality under laboratory condition against fourth instars larvae of Dengue vector, Aedes aegypti and Filarial vector, Culex quinquefasciatus. Hexane extract of fruits of T. asiatica showed highest larvicidal activity against both mosquito vector. LC50 value of hexane, acetone and methanol extracts of fruits against A. aegypti were 37.23, 50.69 and 125.55 ppm and against C. quinquefasciatus were 33.23, 82.20 and 215.19 ppm, respectively. Hexane, acetone and methanol extracts of leaves also showed potency against A. aegypti with LC50 values of 133.80, 177.20 and 79.48 and against C. quinquefasciatus with LC50 values of 164.53, 175.28 and 87.87 ppm, respectively .These results suggested that T. asiatica is promising as larvicide against both targeted mosquitoes

Diversity among clients of female sex workers in India: comparing risk profiles and intervention impact by site of solicitation. implications for the vulnerability of less visible female sex workers.

BACKGROUND: It seems generally accepted that targeted interventions in India have been successful in raising condom use between female sex workers (FSWs) and their clients. Data from clients of FSWs have been under-utilised to analyse the risk environments and vulnerability of both partners. METHODS: The 2009 Integrated Biological and Behavioural Assessment survey sampled clients of FSWs at hotspots in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu (n=5040). The risk profile of clients in terms of sexual networking and condom use are compared across usual pick-up place. We used propensity score matching (PSM) to estimate the average treatment effect on treated (ATT) of intervention messages on clients' consistent condom use with FSW. RESULTS: Clients of the more hidden sex workers who solicit from home or via phone or agents had more extensive sexual networks, reporting casual female partners as well as anal intercourse with male partners and FSW. Clients of brothel-based sex workers, who were the least educated, reported the fewest number/categories of partners, least anal sex, and lowest condom use (41%). Consistent condom use varied widely by state: 65% in Andhra Pradesh, 36% in Maharashtra and 29% in Tamil Nadu. Exposure to intervention messages on sexually transmitted infections was lowest among men frequenting brothels (58%), and highest among men soliciting less visible sex workers (70%). Exposure had significant impact on consistent condom use, including among clients of home-based sex workers (ATT 21%; p=0.001) and among men soliciting other more hidden FSW (ATT 17%; p=0.001). In Tamil Nadu no impact could be demonstrated. CONCLUSION: Commercial sex happens between two partners and both need to be, and can be, reached by intervention messages. Commercial sex is still largely unprotected and as the sex industry gets more diffuse a greater focus on reaching clients of sex workers seems important given their extensive sexual networks

Physiochemical response of papaya genotypes exposed to low temperature regimes

615-627Susceptibility to low temperature stress is the major threat to papaya cultivation. Here, we studied a low temperature stress tolerance in papaya plant. We have investigated the effect of different low temperature regimes, 28°/18°C (day/night) to 16°/06°C (day/night) with a gradual decrease of 2°C on every two days and one set with direct exposure to the low temperature of 18°/08°C (day/night), called the acclimatized plant, in five diverse papaya genotypes (Pusa Nanha, Red Lady P-7-2, P-7-9, and P-7-14) and cold tolerant wild relative of cultivated papaya genotype (Vasconcellea cundinamarcensis V.M. Badillo) under controlled regulated conditions. It was observed that there were significant variations in thephysiological and biochemical parameters like photosynthetic gas exchange parameters, chlorophyll content, fluorescenceparameters, relative water content (RWC), membrane stability index (MSI), total sugars content, total soluble proteinscontent, lipid peroxidation, and proline accumulation in leaf tissues. Maximum stomatal conductance, chlorophyllfluorescence, RWC, MSI, total sugars, total soluble proteins, proline and lowest MDA contents were observed inVasconcellea cundinamarcensis followed by inbred P-7-9 as compared to other genotypes under low temperature stress.Among all the papaya genotypes, P-7-9 showed more adaptability to low temperature stress and it further give new insightsfor developing low temperature tolerant papaya genotypes, especially under changing climate situations

Opioid analgesia and severity of acute pancreatitis: An international multicentre cohort study on pain management in acute pancreatitis

\ua9 2024 The Authors. United European Gastroenterology Journal published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of United European Gastroenterology.Background: The effect of analgesic modalities on short-term outcomes in acute pancreatitis remains unknown. However, preclinical models have raised safety concerns regarding opioid use in patients with acute pancreatitis. Objective: This study aimed to assess the association between analgesics, particularly opioids, and severity and mortality in hospitalised patients with acute pancreatitis. Methods: This prospective multicentre cohort study recruited consecutive patients admitted with a first episode of acute pancreatitis between April 1 and 30 June 2022, with a 1-month follow-up. Data on aetiology, clinical course, and analgesic treatment were collected. The primary outcome was the association between opioid analgesia and acute pancreatitis severity, which was analysed using univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: Among a total of 1768 patients, included from 118 centres across 27 countries, 1036 (59%) had opioids administered on admission day, and 167 (9%) received opioids after admission day. On univariate analysis, moderately severe or severe acute pancreatitis was associated with male sex, Asian ethnicity, alcohol aetiology, comorbidity, predicted severe acute pancreatitis, higher pain scores, longer pain duration and opioid treatment (all p < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, comorbidity, alcohol aetiology, longer pain duration and higher pain scores increased the risk of moderately severe or severe acute pancreatitis (all p < 0.001). Furthermore, opioids administered after admission day (but not on admission day) doubled the risk of moderately severe or severe disease (OR 2.07 (95% CI, 1.29–3.33); p = 0.003). Opioid treatment for 6 days or more was an independent risk factor for moderately severe or severe acute pancreatitis (OR 3.21 (95% CI, 2.16–4.79; p < 0.001). On univariate analysis, longer opioid duration was associated with mortality. Conclusion: Opioid treatment increased the risk of more severe acute pancreatitis only when administered after admission day or for 6 days or more. Future randomised studies should re-evaluate whether opioids might be safe in acute pancreatitis