Two New Species of Stenamma (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Indian Himalaya With a Revised Key to the Palaearctic and Oriental Species

Two new species of genus Stenamma viz Stenamma wilsoni sp. nov. and Stenamma jhitingriense sp. nov. are described from Indian Himalaya. This adds two more species to the genus from Indian Himalaya, with only Stenamma kashmirense Baroni Urbani, 1977 described earlier. A revised key to 26 species from Palaearctic and Oriental is provided here with

Heart Rate Variability based Classification of Normal and Hypertension Cases by Linear-nonlinear Method

The aim of this study is to analyse and compare the heart rate variability (HRV) of normal and hypertension cases using time domain, frequency domain, and nonlinear methods. For short term HRV analysis, a five-minute electrocardiogram (ECG) of 57 normal and 56 hypertension subjects were recorded with prior verification of their clinical status by a cardiologist. Most time domain features of hypertension cases have clearly reduced values over normal subjects, frequency domain features, like power in different spectral bands, also have the distinguishable decreased values, whereas sympathovagal balance has clear edge over hypertension cases than normal cases. Nonlinear parameters of Poincare plot, approximate entropy and sample entropy, have higher values in normal cases when compared with hypertension cases. Support vector machine-based binary system classifies these two classes with 100 per cent accuracy and 100 per cent sensitivity when all time domain, frequency domain, and nonlinear features were used. It may work as a better predictor for in patients with hypertension.Science Journal, Vol. 64, No. 6, November 2014, pp.542-548, DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.14429/dsj.64.786

DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF UV-SPECTROPHOTOMETRIC METHOD FOR QUANTITATIVE ESTIMATION OF NEFOPAM HYDROCHLORIDE IN POLYMETHACRYLATE NANOSPHERES

Objective: To develop and validate simple, sensitive, accurate, specific, precise, rugged, robust and reproducible UV spectrophotometry method for the quantitative estimation of Nefopam hydrochloride (NFH) loaded in polymethacrylate nanospheres (NFH-NS) as per ICH guidelines.Methods: Polymethacrylate nanospheres of NFH were fabricated by quasi-solvent diffusion technique. The analytical method used phosphate buffer, pH 7.4 as a solvent for the estimation of NFH which has the absorption maxima (λmax) value 266 nm. The calibration curve was plotted for NFH in beer's range of 50-400 μg/ml. linear regression of calibration curve was performed by Graph Pad Prism version 5.01 for windows to find a p-value of the regression coefficient. The amount of NFH in polymethacrylate nanospheres (NFH-NS) was analyzed spectrophotometrically using regression equation obtained from the calibration curve. The analytical method was validated for linearity, range, accuracy, specificity, precision, ruggedness and robustness. Sandell's sensitivity value was determined for validation of sensitivity. The drug content of polymethacrylate nanospheres (NFH-NS) was estimated using regression equation.Results: Polymethacrylate nanospheres of NFH were successfully fabricated by quasi-solvent diffusion technique. Regression equation obtained from calibration curve was y = 0.002x+0.001. The estimated amount of NFH in 50 mg of NFH-NS analyzed by UV spectrophotometry using regression equation was found 10.19 mg. Developed analytical method for NFH was found linear in the concentration range of 50-400 μg/ml with high correlation coefficient of 0.9994 with p-value 0.008325 (*p<0.05). Molar absorptivity (ε), sandell's sensitivity and best-fit value slope was found to be 2.5 × 10-3, 0.115 and 0.002509±0.00002569, respectively. Mean percentage recovery was found in accepted limit of 98%-102% which validated the accuracy of the method. Method exhibited system precision as well as intra-day precision as exemplified by % RSD of 0.570 and 0.704%, respectively. The proposed analytical method was validated for ruggedness, sensitivity, and robustness.Conclusion: It was concluded that developed UV spectrophotometry method was accurate, precise, linear, specific, rugged, robust and sensitive and, therefore, can be used for routine analysis and quantitative estimation of NFH loaded in polymethacrylate nanospheres.Â

Association of Fructose Enriched Foods with Metabolic Syndrome and Cardiovascular Diseases

oai:ojs2.ojs.ijcp.in:article/1Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the major causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide as well as in the Indian subcontinent, causing more than 25% of deaths. It has been predicted that these diseases will increase rapidly in India, making it a host to more than half the cases of heart disease in the world within the next 15 years. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that in the year 2005 CVDs caused 17.5 million (30%) of the 58 million deaths that occurred worldwide. In the recent times, the association of metabolic syndrome (MS) is strongly linked with CVDs. MS is defined as a constellation of metabolic disorders in an individual. The main components of MS are dyslipidemia (higher triglyceride, low-density lipoproteins [LDL] and low high-density lipoproteins [HDL]), elevated blood pressure (BP), dysregulated glucose homeostasis, abdominal obesity and insulin resistance. Being one of the most widespread diseases in the world, almost half of the population of specific age groups in developed countries is affected by it. Studies have shown that the independent risk factors associated with MS increase the likelihood of CVDs. It has been postulated that excess intake of fructose promotes cell dysfunction, inflammation, intra-abdominal (visceral) adiposity, atherogenic dyslipidemia, weight gain, insulin resistance, hypertension thereby aggravating the chances for developing MS, type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease

Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) Polymorphisms, Haplotypes and Activity in Predicting CAD Risk in North-West Indian Punjabis

Human serum paraoxonase-1 (PON1) prevents oxidation of low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and hydrolyzes the oxidized form, therefore preventing the development of atherosclerosis. The polymorphisms of PON1 gene are known to affect the PON1 activity and thereby coronary artery disease (CAD) risk. As studies are lacking in North-West Indian Punjabi's, a distinct ethnic group with high incidence of CAD, we determined PON1 activity, genotypes and haplotypes in this population and correlated them with the risk of CAD.350 angiographically proven (≥ 70% stenosis) CAD patients and 300 healthy controls were investigated. PON1 activity was determined towards paraoxon (Paraoxonase; PONase) and phenylacetate (Arylesterase; AREase) substrates. In addition, genotyping was carried out by using multiplex PCR, allele specific oligonucleotide -PCR and PCR-RFLP methods and haplotyping was determined by PHASE software. The serum PONase and AREase activities were significantly lower in CAD patients as compared to the controls. All studied polymorphisms except L55M had significant effect on PONase activity. However AREase activity was not affected by them. In a logistic regression model, after adjustment for the conventional risk factors for CAD, QR (OR: 2.73 (1.57-4.72)) and RR (OR, 16.24 (6.41-41.14)) genotypes of Q192R polymorphism and GG (OR: 2.07 (1.02-4.21)) genotype of -162A/G polymorphism had significantly higher CAD risk. Haplotypes L-T-G-Q-C (OR: 3.25 (1.72-6.16)) and L-T-G-R-G (OR: 2.82 (1.01-7.80)) were also significantly associated with CAD.In conclusion this study shows that CAD patients had lower PONase and AREase activities as compared to the controls. The coding Q192R polymorphism, promoter -162A/G polymorphism and L-T-G-Q-C and L-T-G-R-G haplotypes are all independently associated with CAD

Mapping 123 million neonatal, infant and child deaths between 2000 and 2017

Since 2000, many countries have achieved considerable success in improving child survival, but localized progress remains unclear. To inform efforts towards United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3.2—to end preventable child deaths by 2030—we need consistently estimated data at the subnational level regarding child mortality rates and trends. Here we quantified, for the period 2000–2017, the subnational variation in mortality rates and number of deaths of neonates, infants and children under 5 years of age within 99 low- and middle-income countries using a geostatistical survival model. We estimated that 32% of children under 5 in these countries lived in districts that had attained rates of 25 or fewer child deaths per 1,000 live births by 2017, and that 58% of child deaths between 2000 and 2017 in these countries could have been averted in the absence of geographical inequality. This study enables the identification of high-mortality clusters, patterns of progress and geographical inequalities to inform appropriate investments and implementations that will help to improve the health of all populations

Robust estimation of bacterial cell count from optical density

Optical density (OD) is widely used to estimate the density of cells in liquid culture, but cannot be compared between instruments without a standardized calibration protocol and is challenging to relate to actual cell count. We address this with an interlaboratory study comparing three simple, low-cost, and highly accessible OD calibration protocols across 244 laboratories, applied to eight strains of constitutive GFP-expressing E. coli. Based on our results, we recommend calibrating OD to estimated cell count using serial dilution of silica microspheres, which produces highly precise calibration (95.5% of residuals <1.2-fold), is easily assessed for quality control, also assesses instrument effective linear range, and can be combined with fluorescence calibration to obtain units of Molecules of Equivalent Fluorescein (MEFL) per cell, allowing direct comparison and data fusion with flow cytometry measurements: in our study, fluorescence per cell measurements showed only a 1.07-fold mean difference between plate reader and flow cytometry data

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Myrmica longisculpta Bharti & Sharma 2011, sp. nov.

Myrmica longisculpta sp. nov. (Figs. 1–3; Table 1) Type material. HOLOTYPE: Worker, INDIA: JAMMUAND KASHMIR: Sarthal, 32.812947°N, 75.762503°E, 2200m a.s.l., 15.vi. 2009 (coll. Sharma, Punjabi University). PARATYPES: 4 workers, with same data as of holotype, not from same nest; 1 worker, INDIA: JAMMU AND KASHMIR: Machedi, 32.72364°N, 75.669464°E, 2000 m a.s.l., 3.viii.2008 (coll. Sharma) and 1 worker, INDIA: JAMMU AND KASHMIR: Shopian, 33.668354°N, 74.779472°E, 3100 m a.s.l., 12.ix.2009 (coll. Sharma). One paratype will be deposited in Natural History Museum, London. Description. Head much longer than broad, sides parallel, occipital margin straight; mandibles with 8 teeth (apical and preapical are the largest); clypeus convex, anterior clypeal margin prominent and somewhat pointed medially and extending over mandibles, posterior margin clear, broad, extending between antennal bases; frontal carinae short, slightly broader anteriorly than posteriorly and curving outwards to merge with rugae that surround the antennal socket (in three paratype workers frontal carina of one side merges with rugae that surround antennal insertions); antennae 12 segmented; scape slender, narrow, weakly curved at base without any trace of lobe or carina, widening towards apex, just extending beyond the upper margin of head, antennae with oblique short hairs having pubescence on apical 3 segments; eyes large, placed almost at midline of head; head covered with numerous interspersed short and long suberect hairs; mandibles and clypeus also equipped with long suberect hairs. Alitrunk dorsum feebly convex; promesonotal suture indistinct; metanotal groove broad, shallow; propodeal lobes rounded apically; propodeal spines long, sharp, projected backward, divergent; tibiae of hind and middle legs with well developed pectinate spur; petiole longer than broad, with very short anterior peduncle with a tooth like subpetiolar process, post-petiole a little longer than broad; promesonotum with long erect, as well as short hairs; propodeum with 1 to 2 pairs of short suberect hairs; petiole and post-petiole equipped with long and short suberect hairs directed backwards. Gaster with numerous long erect to suberect hairs, and with few short suberect hairs between them. Punturation. Head longitudinally rugulose with punctures; clypeus convex, longitudinally rugulose, space between rugae smooth and shiny; frontal triangle highly polished and shiny; all antennal segments densely punctuated except scape, first 2 segments are minutely punctated; cephalic dorsum longitudinally rugose up to vertex behind which it is reticulated; whole of the alitrunk distinctively longitudinally coarsely rugose with much pronounced rugae; the pronotum dorsum with somewhat broken longitudinal sculpture; the lateral parts of the body with distinct longitudinal rugae, as does the petiole and post-petiole dorsum; gaster smooth, highly polished and shiny. Male and female unknown. Differential diagnosis. Myrmica longisculpta sp. nov. most resembles species that Radchenko & El mes (2010) placed in the rugosa complex of the M. rugosa species group, which have frontal carinae merging with rugae that extend to occipital margin of head. The coarse body sculpture with the presence of very pronounced/elevated longitudinal rugae on the alitrunk clearly separates it from allied species (including Myrmica afghanica Radchenko & Elmes, 2003, which is not assigned to any species-group). It most resembles Myrmica rugosa Mayr, 1865 but has a relatively wider frontal lobe and a petiole with longitudinal rugae than that species. The fact that some specimens in part appear to have frontal carinae that merge with rugae that surround antennal sockets is problematic. This is a very distinctive species group character which discriminates the smythiesii group from allied groups. However Myrmica longisculpta sp. nov. is most unlikely to be in the smythiesii species group, species of which are generally small with weak sculpture. Moreover the exact placement of this species in a particular group will become clearer when males are found. Etymology. Named in reference to the presence of deep longitudinal sculpture on the alitrunk. Ecology. The species has been hand-collected from two localities (Sarthal, 32.812947°N, 75.762503°E, 2200 m a.s.l and Shopian, 33.668354°N, 74.779472°E, 3100 m a.s.l.) and from leaf litter using Winkler’s extractor at another locality (Machedi, 32.72364°N, 75.669464°E, 2000 m a.s.l.). The collection site at Machedi has a patchy Cedrus forest along with agricultural land surrounding the site; moreover the area has a lot of anthropogenic activities with dry type of environment (mean temperature during collection period 32°C, relative humidity 36.62 % and thickness of leaf litter 2.1 cm). The collection site at Sarthal has dense Cedrus forest with abundant leaf litter and no agricultural land. It remains snow clad from November to the beginning of March and has very limited anthropogenic activities with only nomads visiting the area (mean temperature during collection period 22°C, relative humidity 66.38 %, thickness of leaf litter 3.9 cm) with a comparatively wet environment. At the third collection site (Shopian) specimens were collected under a stone. The area has scattered Cedrus trees, as the forest has largely been cleared by human activities (mean temperature during collection period was 22°C and relative humidity 54 %). The ecology of the Himalaya is temperature-dependent. The snow line occurs at an average of 6000 meters above sea level and the average altitude at which the forest disappears is 3000 meters. Two of the habitats (Machedi and Sarthal) represent the transitional zone between subtemperate and temperate Himalaya whereas the more northerly and higher Shopian site penetrates into the Palaearctic zone whose boundary in Southern Asia is largely altitudinal (where an altitude of 2000–2500 meters above sea level forms the boundary between Palaearctic and Indo-Malayan ecozones). At this altitude the microclimate plays an important role for ants like Myrmica which prefer to live under stones or in rare cases in leaf litter, because the soil temperature is comparatively higher than ambient temperature in these microhabitats (BHARTI 2008b). Distribution. Himalaya (India: Jammu and Kashmir).Published as part of Bharti, Himender & Sharma, Yash Paul, 2011, Myrmica longisculpta, a new species from Himalaya (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmicinae), pp. 723-729 in Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae 51 (2) on pages 725-729, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.532980

Observational study in a tertiary care center in North India comparing demographic profile and outcome in patients with COVID-19 ACS and non COVID-19 ACS

BACKGROUND: Patients with COVID -19 are theoretically at a higher risk of ACS, as respiratory infections can often lead to coronary endothelial damage and plaque rupture. Initial reports during start of pandemic suggested decrease in STEMI patients, however this has been explained by iatrophobia rather than actual decrease. Data on pathophysiology and outcome of patients presenting with ACS is scarce. We did a prospective observational case control study to study epidemiology and outcomes of Covid-19 patients with ACS. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 654 patients were admitted with Covid -19 at PGIMER, Chandigarh from August 2020 to February 2021, 56 (11.6%) consecutive patients of ACS were enrolled into the study. Seventy eight patients of non COVID -19 ACS were also enrolled into the study. Acute myocardial infarction was defined as per fourth universal definition of myocardial infarction. Diagnosis of Covid -19 was established using RT-PCR from nasopharyngeal swab. Angiographic assessment was done by two interventional cardiologists. COVID -19 ACS patients had higher incidence of hypertension and prior coronary artery disease (CAD), while active smokers were less compared to non-COVID-19 ACS patients. Only 1/3rd patients with COVID -19 ACS had fever on presentation. ACS Patients presenting with non ST elevation ACS (NSTEACS) were similar in the two groups (46. 4% vs 34.6%, P= 0.15). Patients with COVID 19 ACS were more likely to require non -invasive ventilation (NIV ) or high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) support compared to non COVID-19 ACS (27.5% vs 3.9%, P=0.001). COVID-19 ACS patients in view of associated significant COVID-19 disease were given dexamethasone and remedesivir in 46.4% and 54.5% respectively. This COVID-19 specific therapy was well tolerated in these patients, while dual antiplatelet and high intensity statin used in more than 95% patients in both groups. Patients with COVID -19 ACS had higher incidence of non-obstructive coronaries (27% vs 3%, P=0.03) compared to non COVID-19 ACS. In-hospital mortality of COVID-19 ACS patients was significantly higher (26.8 % vs 10.4%, P=0.019). COVID-19 ACS patients were followed up for mean of 5.4 ± 2.1 months and MACCE occurred in 3 (5.3%) which was similar to non COVID-19 ACS 5 (6.9%), P=0.7. CONCLUSION: COVID -19 is associated with several cardiovascular manifestations. Patients with COVID-19 disease can have symptom and biomarker overlap with ACS thus making diagnosis of ACS difficult and often delayed. High short term mortality was similar to larger registry like MINAP. Though invasive angiography and PCI was significantly less in our cohort. Thrombolytic therapy is treatment of choice of for COVID -19 ACS patients presenting with ST elevation MI (STEMI) and NSTEACS too should be managed medically with anti-thrombotic and antianginal therapy. We believe Type -2 myocardial infarction is common in pathophysiology of patients who benefit most from medical therapy