Comparative efficacy of two poeciliid fish in indoor cement tanks against chikungunya vector Aedes aegypti in villages in Karnataka, India

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In 2006, severe outbreaks of <it>Aedes aegypti</it>-transmitted chikungunya occurred in villages in Karnataka, South India. We evaluated the effectiveness of combined information, education and communication (IEC) campaigns using two potential poeciliid larvivorous fish guppy (<it>Poecilia reticulata</it>) and mosquitofish (<it>Gambusia affinis</it>), in indoor cement tanks for <it>Aedes </it>larval control.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Trials were conducted in two villages (Domatmari and Srinivaspura) in Tumkur District from March to May 2006 for <it>Poecilia </it>and one village (Balmanda) in Kolar District from July to October 2006 for <it>Gambusia</it>. A survey on knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) on chikungunya was initially conducted and IEC campaigns were performed before and after fish release in Domatmari (IEC alone, followed by IEC + <it>Poecilia</it>) and Balmanda (IEC + <it>Gambusia</it>). In Srinivaspura, IEC was not conducted. Larval surveys were conducted at the baseline followed by one-week and one-month post-intervention periods. The impact of fish on <it>Aedes </it>larvae and disease was assessed based on baseline and post-intervention observations.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Only 18% of respondents knew of the role of mosquitoes in fever outbreaks, while almost all (<it>n </it>= 50 each) gained new knowledge from the IEC campaigns. In Domatmari, IEC alone was not effective (OR 0.54; <it>p </it>= 0.067). Indoor cement tanks were the most preferred <it>Ae. aegypti </it>breeding habitat (86.9%), and had a significant impact on <it>Aedes </it>breeding (Breteau Index) in all villages in the one-week period (<it>p </it>< 0.001). In the one-month period, the impact was most sustained in Domatmari (OR 1.58, <it>p </it>< 0.001) then Srinivaspura (OR 0.45, <it>p </it>= 0.063) and Balmanda (OR 0.51, <it>p </it>= 0.067). After fish introductions, chikungunya cases were reduced by 99.87% in Domatmari, 65.48% in Srinivaspura and 68.51% in Balmanda.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p><it>Poecilia </it>exhibited greater survival rates than <it>Gambusia </it>(86.04 <it>vs</it>.16.03%) in cement tanks. Neither IEC nor <it>Poecilia </it>alone was effective against <it>Aedes </it>(<it>p </it>> 0.05). We conclude that <it>Poecilia </it>+ IEC is an effective intervention strategy. The operational cost was 0.50 (US$0.011, 1 US$= 47) per capita per application. Proper water storage practices, focused IEC with <it>Poecilia </it>introductions and vector sanitation involving the local administration and community, is suggested as the best strategy for <it>Aedes </it>control.</p

Multi-messenger observations of a binary neutron star merger

On 2017 August 17 a binary neutron star coalescence candidate (later designated GW170817) with merger time 12:41:04 UTC was observed through gravitational waves by the Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo detectors. The Fermi Gamma-ray Burst Monitor independently detected a gamma-ray burst (GRB 170817A) with a time delay of ~1.7 s with respect to the merger time. From the gravitational-wave signal, the source was initially localized to a sky region of 31 deg2 at a luminosity distance of 40+8-8 Mpc and with component masses consistent with neutron stars. The component masses were later measured to be in the range 0.86 to 2.26 Mo. An extensive observing campaign was launched across the electromagnetic spectrum leading to the discovery of a bright optical transient (SSS17a, now with the IAU identification of AT 2017gfo) in NGC 4993 (at ~40 Mpc) less than 11 hours after the merger by the One- Meter, Two Hemisphere (1M2H) team using the 1 m Swope Telescope. The optical transient was independently detected by multiple teams within an hour. Subsequent observations targeted the object and its environment. Early ultraviolet observations revealed a blue transient that faded within 48 hours. Optical and infrared observations showed a redward evolution over ~10 days. Following early non-detections, X-ray and radio emission were discovered at the transient’s position ~9 and ~16 days, respectively, after the merger. Both the X-ray and radio emission likely arise from a physical process that is distinct from the one that generates the UV/optical/near-infrared emission. No ultra-high-energy gamma-rays and no neutrino candidates consistent with the source were found in follow-up searches. These observations support the hypothesis that GW170817 was produced by the merger of two neutron stars in NGC4993 followed by a short gamma-ray burst (GRB 170817A) and a kilonova/macronova powered by the radioactive decay of r-process nuclei synthesized in the ejecta

Impact of full coverage of population with Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) on malaria vector density in Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra, India

Background & objectives: Long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) are a major weapon in the fight against malaria. But protection of each family member is not possible with current distribution system with 80% coverage. Therefore, we hypothesized that the distribution of LLIN to every member of a household will be more effective at reducing vector density and ultimately malaria in endemic areas like district Gadchiroli of Maharashtra, India. Methods: The three sub centers Kulbhati, Pannemara and Yerkad of Murumgaon Primary Health Center of Gadchiroli district were selected for the study based on malaria incidence and LLIN distribution. Pre-structured questionnaires were filled to know the distribution and use of LLIN as baseline, thereafter additional LLINs were distributed in selected villages for 100% coverage of population. Entomological surveys were undertaken to know the impact of LLIN on vector mosquito density. Results: A total of 250 houses were surveyed in these villages and questionnaires were filled regarding bednet distribution and their use. 507 LLIN were distributed in study villages (population 1270) of Murumgaon PHC. In four selected villages, additional 409 LLIN were distributed for 100% coverage of population with bed nets. Man hour density of vector mosquito in human dwellings in the experimental villages was significantly reduced, 0–19 in comparison to control (0–66). In cattle sheds, MHD of An. culicifacies was observed to be 1-243 in experimental villages vis-à-vis 1-179 in control villages. During exit trap collection of mosquitoes, ~94 % mosquitoes were deterred from blood feeding. Interpretation & conclusion: In this study there was a significant impact of insecticide-treated nets on vector mosquito density in human dwellings. Thus, 100% coverage of human populations with LLINs may be an important tool in controlling malaria situation in endemic areas like Gadchiroli

Glycosaminoglycan-functionalized poly-lactide-co-glycolide nanoparticles: synthesis, characterization, cytocompatibility, and cellular uptake

Surya P Lamichhane,1 Neha Arya,1,2 Nirdesh Ojha,3 Esther Kohler,1 V Prasad Shastri1,2,41Institute for Macromolecular Chemistry, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, 2Helmholtz Virtual Institute on &ldquo;Multifunctional Biomaterials for Medicine&rdquo;, 3Laboratory for Process Technology, Department of&nbsp;Microsystems Engineering, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, 4Centre for Biological Signaling Studies (BIOSS), University of&nbsp;Freiburg, Freiburg, GermanyAbstract: The efficient delivery of chemotherapeutics to the tumor via nanoparticle (NP)-based delivery systems remains a significant challenge. This is compounded by the fact that the tumor is highly dynamic and complex environment composed of a plurality of cell types and extracellular matrix. Since glycosaminoglycan (GAG) production is altered in many diseases (or pathologies), NPs bearing GAG moieties on the surface may confer some unique advantages in interrogating the tumor microenvironment. In order to explore this premise, in the study reported here poly-lactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) NPs in the range of 100&ndash;150 nm bearing various proteoglycans were synthesized by a single-step nanoprecipitation and characterized. The surface functionalization of the NPs with GAG moieties was verified using zeta potential measurements and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. To establish these GAG-bearing NPs as carriers of therapeutics, cellular toxicity assays were undertaken in lung epithelial adenocarcinoma (A549) cells, human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (HPMEC), and renal proximal tubular epithelial cells. In general NPs were well tolerated over a wide concentration range (100&ndash;600 &micro;g/mL) by all cell types and were taken up to appreciable extents without any adverse cell response in A549 cells and HPMEC. Further, GAG-functionalized PLGA NPs were taken up to different extents in A459 cells and HPMEC. In both cell systems, the uptake of heparin-modified NPs was diminished by 50%&ndash;65% in comparison to that of unmodified PLGA. Interestingly, the uptake of chondroitin sulfate NPs was the highest in both cell systems with 40%&ndash;60% higher uptake when compared with that of PLGA, and this represented an almost twofold difference over heparin-modified NPs. These findings suggest that GAG modification can be explored as means of changing the uptake behavior of PLGA NPs and these NP systems have potential in cancer therapy.Keywords: tumor microenvironment, nanocarriers, proteoglycans, polysaccharides, passive targetin

Not Available

Not AvailableThe present investigation was carried out to standardize the water depth for better survival of Clarias magur larvae in both first tier and second tier system. The experiment consisted of three water depth viz; (6 cm – T1, 8 cm – T2 and 10 cm – T3) in triplicates and rear up to 10 dph. The second tier experiment was conducted with three water depth Viz: T1 (6''), T2 (7'') and T3 (8''). The first tier rearing system showed the non-significant difference (P>0.05) between the treatments in terms of body length. However, the body weight gain was significant between T3 and both T1 and T2. The second tier system showed growth and Survival was observed significant difference (p<0.05) among the treatment. Low water depth 6 cm in first tier rearing system and water depth of 06'' showed better growth and higher survival percentage especially for Clarias magur larval rearing in second tier rearing unit. It is obvious from the study that the water depth affected the survival rate of magur larvae rearingNot Availabl

Not Available

Not AvailableAim: Methodology: Results: Interpretation: Two-hundred-seventy fingerlings of equal size (8.19±0.03g) were stocked in 18 fibre reinforced plastic tanks following complete randomized design. Six iso-nitrogenous (30% crude protein) and iso-caloric (390 kcal digestible energy per 100 g) diets were prepared with graded level-1 Significantly (P<0.05) higher growth performance (weight gain %, specific growth rate, net yield and mean d a i l y w e i g h t g a i n percentage) and better feed conversion and n u t r i e n t u t i l i z a t i o n (protein efficiency ratio and lipid efficiency ratio) were observed in T1 group than in other experimental groups. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that ethanolic extract of shatavari root can be used as a growth promoter and can be-1 P D lagiarism etector Grammarly Fingerlings stocking Fed with shatavari root extract diet Water quality-1 T1(0.15 g kg)-1 T3(0.45 g kg)-1 C(0.0 g kg)-1 T2(0.30 g kg)-1 T4(0.60 g kg)-1 T5(0.75 g kg) Sampling Data analysis Growth performance Fin al ha rve st-1 Best result was achieved with 0.15 g kg fed group Dietary shatavari, Asparagus racemosus root extract promotes growth, feed conversion and nutrient utilization in Labeo rajasthanicus The objective of the study was to assess the effect of supplementation with dietary shatavari, Asparagus racemosus root extract on growth, feed conversion and nutrient utilization in Labeo rajasthanicus. included at the supplementation level of 0.15 g kg diet for Labeo rajasthanicus. How to cite : Keer, N.R., N.K. Chadha, V.P. Saini, M.L. Ojha and P.B. Sawant: Dietary shatavari, Asparagus racemosus root extract promotes growth, feed conversion and nutrient utilization in Labeo rajasthanicus. J. Environ. Biol., 41, 1464-1469 (2020). of ethanolic shatavari root extract, i.e., 0.00, 0.15, 0.30, 0.45, 0.60, 0.75 g kg and designated as control, T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 were fed to L. rajasthanicus twice a day for 45 days. The growth performance, feed conversion and nutrient utilisation were considered as response parameters. ¨Journal of Environmental Biology, November 2020R ajasthan, India. The natural habitat of L. rajasthanicus includes water bodies with rocky substrates for shelter with a depth up to 20 m along with low water current, Sarsi is a candidate species for carp polyculture (Lal et al., 2015). L. rajasthanicus has good market value as an important food and the captive brood stock already has been raised and produced seeds that can be used for aquaculture and enhancement (Anon, 2014). With this background, the aim of the present study was to assess the effect of dietary shatavari root extract on the growth performance, feed conversion and nutrients utilization in the fingerlings of L. rajasthanicus. The collected roots were washed with tap water and further in distilled water for complete removal of dust particles and dried under shade, followed by grinding to fine powder. The fine root powder was transferred to a 250 ml glass beaker containing 100 ml 80% ethanol (v/v) and shaken in an orbital shaker (Orbitek®-Scigenics Biotech, Chennai, India) at 160 rpm for 24 hr, followed by filtering the solution using a muslin cloth. Filtrates were centrifuged at 10,000 rpm at 4ºC for 5 min and the supernatant was collected. A rotatory evaporator (IKA® RV10 Basic-Shanghai, China; temperature of 40-60ºC, rotor speed of 40 rpm) was used to concentrate the supernatant. The concentrate was transferred to screw-cap bottle o o and stored at 4 C for 24 hr and freeze-dried (-95 C±4 C), followed o by storage in a deep freezer (-20 C) until further use. The yield percentage of crude extract was around 15.45% by weight of shatavari root powder. Preparation of diet: According to the feed formulation (Table 1), all the ingredients were weighed and thoroughly mixed in a container to form a homogenous blend, and dough was formed. The dough was autoclaved for 20min to ensure proper gelatinization of starch and allowed to cool. Fish oil and sunflower oil, vitamin-mineral mixture, butylated hydroxytoluene and Vitamin C were added along with the shatavari root extract, and mixed properly. The dough was pressed through a pelletizer (S.B. Panchal and Company, Mumbai, India) with 2 mm diameter die to form uniform-size pellets. The pellets were dried in oven at 45°C for 12 hr and packed into an air airtight container, followed by storage in dry and cool place for further use.Not Availabl

Not Available

Not AvailableThis paper describes community-based fisheries management (CBFM) in Vembanad Lake through SHG facilitated social entrepreneurship venture mobilized by NGO. In the present study, an attempt was made to understand the social entrepreneurship attitudes of the SHG members. Level of participation in the social entrepreneurship venture was also studied. The perceived benefits from the change agency (NGO) were also quantified. Attitude towards social entrepreneurship was measured using the Social entrepreneurship scale. Data were collected from five SHGs and NGO staff. In particular, a model was developed on change agency facilitated social entrepreneurship towards CBFM. The model argued that social entrepreneurship could be a vehicle which contributes to sustainable environmental management.Not Availabl

Not Available

Not AvailableAn experiment was conducted to determine the optimum dose of Gonopro-FH forLabeo rajasthanicus breeding in captivity during the monsoon season of 2014 and 2015. Four doses of Gonopro-FH i.e. 0.2(T1 ), 0.3(T2 ), 0.4(T3 ) and 0.5(T4 ) ml/ kg body weight were tried. All the brooders at different dose of Gonopro-FH were bred successfully. There was no significance (p<0.05) difference observed in relative fecundity between all the treatments. The relative fecundity was highest with hormonal dose of 0.4 ml/kg (T3 ) of Gonopro-FH. However, fertilization rate was significantly (p>0.05) highest with 0.2 ml/kg dose of Gonopro-FH. Latency period and hatching rate were significantly higher in T1 (0.2 ml/kg) and lowest in T4 (0.5ml/kg). From the present study it can be suggested that the hormonal (Gonopro-FH) dose of 0.2 ml/kg is most suitable for enhancing the hatching rate and fertilization percent of Labeo rajasthanicus.Not Availabl