Reactivity to Social and Nonsocial Challenges in Anolis carolinensis

This study is the first of its kind to observe reactivity style, an individual\u27s consistent response to stress, in a non-mammalian vertebrate species. The responses to social and acute nonsocial stressors were investigated using Anolis carolinensis, a small arboreal lizard native to the Southeastern United States. Patterns of stress responses across various contexts were identified. The social stressor involved introducing one lizard to another, while the nonsocial stressors consisted of a Novelty and Restraint test. The lizards\u27 behaviors, perch site selections, and skin color changes were recorded throughout each test. The results demonstrate that the perch height was the most reliable indicator of the lizards\u27 reaction to stress. Although all of the data did not explicitly support our hypothesis, several trends were evident, and thus the comparison of these behaviors during the test and posttest phase deserves further investigation. The results from this experiment provide an impetus for future studies, such as examining the adaptability of lizards to chronic nonsocial and social stressors, as well as observing the response of the immune system and hormone levels to chronic stress and identifying variations in the limbic system. In addition, this experiment has established a methodology for examining reactions to nonsocial stressors

Serosurveillance among COVID-19 Cases in Ahmedabad Using SARS-COV2 IgG Antibodies

Background: Serosurveillance study focusing on antibodies against SARS-CoV2 among the Covid19 cases can add value in the scientific knowledge & help in formulating valid predictions regarding immunity status in the post-covid period. Objectives: To estimate seropositivity among covid19 cases and to identify various factors affecting seropositivity. Methods: During second half of October 2020, a population based serosurvey on Covid19 cases was carried out in Ahmedabad. Covid-Kavach test kits were used and estimated seroprevalence was compared with available demographic and covid19 case related parameters to identify factors affecting seropositivity in the post-covid period. Simple proportions and Z-test were used as appropriate. Results: As on October 2020, the sero-positivity among Covid19 cases in Ahmedabad was 54.51% [95% Confidence Interval (CI) 52.14-56.86%]. Females have higher positivity (54.78%) as compared to males (54.30%) but the difference was statistically not significant (Z=0.19, P=0.84). Among children and elderly, the positivity is high and from young adults to elderly the seropositivity has an increasing trend. Severity of clinical illness and longer duration of hospitalization are associated with higher seropositivity. Conclusion: With 54.51% seropositivity among covid19 cases, it is clear that all the covid19 cases may not have developed IgG antibodies, have undetectable level or might have disappeared during the post-covid period. Comparison of seropositivity with age group and clinical case details clearly suggest close correlation with the severity of clinical symptoms. The seronegative cases indicate the need for further in-depth scientific research to identify the factors affecting immunity and to uncover the reasons behind the same

Seroprevalence of Immunoglobulin G Antibody among Contacts of COVID19 Cases: A Study from India

Objective: To estimate Covid19 seropositivity among contacts of cases and to compare the seropositivity among different types of contact for assessing the differential risk & transmission dynamics. Material and Methods: A large-scale population-based serosurvey was carried out among the general population of Ahmedabad during the second half of October 2020. The contacts of cases were selected based on the population proportion and enrolled as an additional category. The seropositivity among the contacts was estimated using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and compared with different types of contact and available demographic factors. Results: As of October 2020, the seropositivity against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV2) among contacts of cases in Ahmedabad was 26.0% [95% confidence interval 24.2–28.0]. The seropositivity among family contacts was significantly higher (28.8%) compared to other contacts (24.4%) (Z=2.19, p-value=0.028). This trend was seen across all age groups and both sexes. The seropositivity was higher among females (27.7%) compared to males (24.5%) but the difference was statistically not significant (Z=1.64, p-value=0.101). In terms of age groups, the positivity had an increasing trend up to 60 years but declined after that. Conclusion: A seropositivity of 26.0% among contacts indicates that a large proportion of contacts demonstrated Immunoglobulin-G antibodies. This highlights asymptomatic transmission and/or low sensitivity of the diagnostic tests. The current strategy for contact tracing and testing among contacts is justified based on the significantly higher seropositivity among family contacts

Phenotype and Fate of Liver-Resident CD8 T Cells During Acute and Chronic Hepacivirus Infection

Immune correlates of hepatitis C virus (HCV) clearance and control remain poorly defined due to the lack of an informative animal model. We recently described acute and chronic rodent HCV-like virus (RHV) infections in lab mice. Here, we developed MHC class I and class II tetramers to characterize the serial changes in RHV-specific CD8 and CD4 T cells during acute and chronic infection in C57BL/6J mice. RHV infection induced rapid expansion of T cells targeting viral structural and nonstructural proteins. After virus clearance, the virus-specific T cells transitioned from effectors to long-lived liver-resident memory T cells (TRM). The effector and memory CD8 and CD4 T cells primarily produced Th1 cytokines, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-2, upon ex vivo antigen stimulation, and their phenotype and transcriptome differed significantly between the liver and spleen. Rapid clearance of RHV reinfection coincided with the proliferation of virus-specific CD8 TRM cells in the liver. Chronic RHV infection was associated with the exhaustion of CD8 T cells (Tex) and the development of severe liver diseases. Interestingly, the virus-specific CD8 Tex cells continued proliferation in the liver despite the persistent high-titer viremia and retained partial antiviral functions, as evident from their ability to degranulate and produce IFN-γ upon ex vivo antigen stimulation. Thus, RHV infection in mice provides a unique model to study the function and fate of liver-resident T cells during acute and chronic hepatotropic infection

Cooperation Between Systemic and Mucosal Antibodies Induced by Virosomal Vaccines Targeting HIV-1 Env: Protection of Indian Rhesus Macaques Against Low-Dose Intravaginal SHIV Challenges.

A virosomal vaccine inducing systemic/mucosal anti-HIV-1 gp41 IgG/IgA had previously protected Chinese-origin rhesus macaques (RMs) against vaginal SHIVSF162P3 challenges. Here, we assessed its efficacy in Indian-origin RMs by intramuscular priming/intranasal boosting (n=12/group). Group K received virosome-P1-peptide alone (harboring the Membrane Proximal External Region), Group L combined virosome-rgp41 plus virosome-P1, and Group M placebo virosomes. Vaccination induced plasma binding but no neutralizing antibodies. Five weeks after boosting, all RMs were challenged intravaginally with low-dose SHIVSF162P3 until persistent systemic infection developed. After SHIV challenge #7, six controls were persistently infected versus only one Group L animal (vaccine efficacy 87%; P=0.0319); Group K was not protected. After a 50% SHIV dose increase starting with challenge #8, protection in Group L was lost. Plasmas/sera were analyzed for IgG phenotypes and effector functions; the former revealed that protection in Group L was significantly associated with increased binding to FcγR2/3(A/B) across several time-points, as were some IgG measurements. Vaginal washes contained low-level anti-gp41 IgGs and IgAs, representing a 1-to-5-fold excess over the SHIV inoculum's gp41 content, possibly explaining loss of protection after the increase in challenge-virus dose. Virosomal gp41-vaccine efficacy was confirmed during the initial seven SHIV challenges in Indian-origin RMs when the SHIV inoculum had at least 100-fold more HIV RNA than acutely infected men's semen. Vaccine protection by virosome-induced IgG and IgA parallels the cooperation between systemically administered IgG1 and mucosally applied dimeric IgA2 monoclonal antibodies that as single-agents provided no/low protection - but when combined, prevented mucosal SHIV transmission in all passively immunized RMs

Measuring What Works: An Impact Evaluation of Women's Groups on Maternal Health Uptake in Rural Nepal.

BACKGROUND: There is a need for studies evaluating maternal health interventions in low-income countries. This paper evaluates one such intervention designed to promote maternal health among rural women in Nepal. METHODS AND RESULTS: This was a five-year controlled, non-randomised, repeated cross-sectional study (2007, 2010, 2012) of a participatory community-based maternal health promotion intervention focusing on women's groups to improve maternal health services uptake. In total 1,236 women of childbearing age, who had their last child ≤ two years ago, were interviewed. Difference-in-Difference estimation assessed the effects of the intervention on selected outcome variables while controlling for a constructed wealth index and women's characteristics. In the first three years (from 2007 to the 2010), the intervention increased women's likelihood of attending for antenatal care at least once during pregnancy by seven times [OR = 7.0, 95%CI (2.3; 21.4)], of taking iron and folic acid by three times [OR = 3.0, 95%CI (1.2; 7.8)], and of seeking four or more antenatal care visits of two times, although not significantly [OR = 2.2, 95%CI (1.0; 4.7)]. Over five years, women were more likely to seek antenatal care at least once [OR = 3.0, 95%CI (1.5; 5.2)], to take iron/folic acid [OR = 1.9, [95% CI (1.1; 3.2)], and to attend postnatal care [OR = 1.5, [95% CI (1.1; 2.2)]. No improvement was found on attending antenatal care in the first trimester, birthing at an institution or with a skilled birth attendant. CONCLUSION: Community-based health promotion has a much stronger effect on the uptake of antenatal care and less on delivery care. Other factors not easily resolved through health promotion interventions may influence these outcomes, such as costs or geographical constraints. The evaluation has implications for policy and practice in public health, especially maternal health promotion

Tissue adhesives in ophthalmology

Tissue glue is increasingly becoming a choice of material as an adjuvant to surgical wound closure in ophthalmology. Each of the type of glue is unique in terms of its advantages as well as limitations and so is used in different indications. Although the presently available tissue adhesives are good enough for the procedures mentioned, there is still a demand for newer adhesives. The increasing acceptance of these adhesives by the clinicians promises this to be a standard procedure for surgical wound closure. The existing cyanoacrylate glue is mainly used as a corneal patch to seal acute corneal perforations and improve visual outcomes, with reduced enucleation rates and need for tectonic keratoplasty in many situations. Fibrin glue is a biological adhesive, which reduces the total surgical time. The multiple advantages has extended its use in all the superspeciality fields of ophthalmology like corneal and conjunctival surgeries; strabismus, cataract, refractive, glaucoma, and even retinal surgeries. A newer tissue adhesive like biodendrimers and photocrosslinkable ones has better biocompatibility, rapid sealing properties and increased binding forces. It promises to overcome the drawbacks and risks associated with the existing ones but still under research. The increasing acceptance of all these promises it to be a standard procedure for surgical wound closure and probably will introduce a newer modality for drug delivery. In this article, we tried to review the literature with internet and medlines search for the available adhesives, as well as the upcoming ones with promising applications in ophthalmology

Assessment of Knowledge of Undergraduate and Postgraduate Medical Students about Home-Isolation Guidelines of COVID-19

Background: COVID-19 patients can stay at home if isolated from others. The present study was carried out for assessment of knowledge of home-isolation (HI) guidelines. Method: Cross sectional descriptive study was done amongst 289 Undergraduate (UG) and Postgraduate (PG) medical students. The data collected through Google form were analysed and calculation of percentages, proportion, mean, SD etc. was done. Results: Response rate was 61.49%. Mean age was 21.32 ± 2.27 years. Female to male ratio was 1.4:1. 93.42% and 6.57% were UG students and PG students respectively. 80.97% had performed COVID duty. There is no significant difference between boys and girls in performing COVID-19 duties. (z=1.46, p>0.05). 38.06% correctly defined HI, 50.52% knew when to discontinue HI, and 66.09% knew eligibility criteria for HI. 18.68% had knowledge about hand washing, 20.07% knew about COVID 19 helpline numbers. The mean score of the UG students was 6.84±2.17 whereas same as for PG students was 7.79±2.07. Conclusions: Students had higher level of correct knowledge about, when to seek medical attention for home isolated person; infection control practices followed by hand hygiene, use of mask by care giver. There is less knowledge about other aspects of home isolation

Predictors Of Catastrophic Costs Of Tuberculosis (TB) Among Patients Co-Affected With TB-HIV And TB-Diabetes In Bhavnagar Region, Western India

Background: By the year 2030, no family with a patient of tuberculosis (TB) is supposed to incur catastrophic costs. In India, a significant number of people suffer from TB, and many face catastrophic costs. Our objective was to determine the predictors of catastrophic costs due to TB among co-prevalent TB-HIV and TB-diabetes patients. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among 234 patients co-affected with TB-HIV and 304 patients with TB-diabetes co-prevalence in the Bhavnagar region (western part of India). TB costs, estimated using a validated questionnaire, were defined to be catastrophic when they exceeded 20% of annual household income. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the significant predictors of catastrophic costs of TB. Results: Four percent of patients in each group incurred catastrophic costs due to TB. Female gender [adjusted odds ratio aOR 6 (95% CI 1.2-33)], being single [aOR 9 (95% CI 1.5-52)], low socioeconomic status [aOR 7 (95% CI 1.2-30)], private consultation for TB [aOR 9 (95% CI 1.5-53)], and hospitalization in first HIV visit [aOR 19 (95% CI 3-137)] significantly predicted catastrophic costs of TB among patients co-affected with TB-HIV. Among patients with TB-diabetes co-prevalence, hospitalization in first TB visit [aOR 7 (95% CI 2-29)], and private consultation for TB [aOR 7 (95% CI 1.6-30)] were the significant predictors. Conclusions: Despite a lower percentage of TB-HIV/ TB-diabetes patients facing catastrophic costs, hospitalization and private care-seeking are the “modifiable” determinants of TB catastrophic costs in our study setting