Cyber Crimes and Phishing Attacks

This overview gives the basic introduction of cyber laws and phishing attacks, defines the terms used in the indus try and research field, outline the detail of cyber laws and architecture of prevention from phishing. It provides a brief summary of anti - phishing and provides a good foundation for understanding the effects and prevention of phishin

A study of self-medication practices among medical students

Background: Self-medication is widely prevalent in India, more so among medical students as they have easy access to information from drug indices, literature and physician samples. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional type of study conducted among undergraduate students of a medical college in Maharashtra. Minimum sample size came out to be 259 by taking prevalence of self-medication as 78.6% from a previous study conducted on similar population. 75 students each were randomly selected from all four batches of MBBS. Data collection was done by using pretested questionnaire and it was analysed using SPSS version 22. Qualitative data was expressed in proportions and quantitative data was expressed in mean and standard deviation. Chi square test was used to check the association of various factors and self-medication practice. Results: The prevalence of self-medication was found to be 72.1%. The practice was significantly more common in females, those belonging to urban areas and those from senior batches of MBBS (p<0.05). Headache (34.2%), acidity (25.7%) and fever (24.3%) were most common indications and antipyretics (28.2%), antihistamincs (17.3%) and analgesics (11.4%) were commonly used drugs for self-medication. In spite of being aware about the side effects of self-medication and importance of completing antibiotic course, their practices were largely unfavourable. Previous prescriptions (45.5%), family members (23.8%), pharmacist (21.8%) and medical textbooks (18.3%) were sources of information about self-medication. Conclusions: Self-medication was highly prevalent among medical students with more prevalence among females, students from urban areas and senior students. The practices of students were also unfavourable

Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Reveals Cellular Heterogeneity and Stage Transition under Temperature Stress in Synchronized Plasmodium falciparum Cells

The malaria parasite has a complex life cycle exhibiting phenotypic and morphogenic variations in two different hosts by existing in heterogeneous developmental states. To investigate this cellular heterogeneity of the parasite within the human host, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing of synchronized Plasmodium cells under control and temperature treatment conditions. Using the Malaria Cell Atlas (https://www.sanger.ac.uk/science/tools/mca) as a guide, we identified 9 subtypes of the parasite distributed across known intraerythrocytic stages. Interestingly, temperature treatment results in the upregulation of the AP2-G gene, the master regulator of sexual development in a small subpopulation of the parasites. Moreover, we identified a heterogeneous stress-responsive subpopulation (clusters 5, 6, and 7 [−10% of the total population]) that exhibits upregulation of stress response pathways under normal growth conditions. We also developed an online exploratory tool that will provide new insights into gene function under normal and temperature stress conditions. Thus, our study reveals important insights into cell-to-cell heterogeneity in the parasite population under temperature treatment that will be instrumental toward a mechanistic understanding of cellular adaptation and population dynamics in Plasmodium falciparum. IMPORTANCE The malaria parasite has a complex life cycle exhibiting phenotypic variations in two different hosts accompanied by cell-to-cell variability that is important for stress tolerance, immune evasion, and drug resistance. To investigate cellular heterogeneity determined by gene expression, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) of about 12,000 synchronized Plasmodium cells under physiologically relevant normal (37°C) and temperature stress (40°C) conditions phenocopying the cyclic bouts of fever experienced during malarial infection. In this study, we found that parasites exhibit transcriptional heterogeneity in an otherwise morphologically synchronized culture. Also, a subset of parasites is continually committed to gametocytogenesis and stress-responsive pathways. These observations have important implications for understanding the mechanisms of drug resistance generation and vaccine development against the malaria parasite.</p

Mechanism of Arthropod-mediated Transmission of Plant Viruses - A Review

In the intricate world of botanical life, an often-overlooked menace lurks – plant viruses. Viruses invade their target and hijack the plant cell's mechanisms to multiply and reproduce. The impact of these microscopic assailants is profound, affecting food security, food safety, national economies, biodiversity, and the rural environment. Plant viruses, although small in stature, wield immense influence in the plant kingdom. They are sub-microscopic entities comprised of genetic material, either DNA or RNA, encased within a protective protein coat. They need a medium of transmission for survival and spread, which can be air, water, contaminated tools, or certain other organisms known as vectors. These vectors, often insects, fungi, or nematodes, serve as intermediaries between the virus and its plant host, facilitating transmission and infection. Understanding the intricate interactions between plant viruses and their vectors is vital for developing effective control strategies that can mitigate the devastating impact of these diseases on crops. This relationship between a plant virus and a vector is a testament to the complexity of the natural world, where microscopic organisms wield enormous influence over the health and fate of plants, impacting ecosystems and even human agriculture. This review delves into the world of plant virus vectors, un-ravelling their roles in disease transmission, their biological mechanisms, and the pivotal role they play in shaping agricultural landscapes worldwide. It also explores the types of virus transmission and their effects on vector behaviour. This knowledge is essential for developing strategies to mitigate the impact of plant viruses and protect global food security

Holocene surface-rupturing paleo-earthquakes along the Kachchh Mainland Fault: shaping the seismic landscape of Kachchh, Western India

This study explores the seismotectonics of Kachchh in western India, a region with a low-to-moderate strain rate and a history of significant earthquakes, notably the 1819, Mw 7.8 Allah Bund, and the 2001, Mw 7.6 Bhuj. Despite its substantial seismic risk, comprehensive studies on Kachchh’s seismogenic sources are scarce. This is attributed to the concealed nature of active structures, hindering definitive age constraints in paleoseismological research. Our research comprises a detailed paleoseismic analysis of the north-verging, reverse Jhura Fault underlying the Jhura anticline, a segment of the Kachchh Mainland Fault. This fault segment shows evidence of surface-rupturing earthquakes in the area south of the Great Rann of Kachchh. The investigation reveals three paleoseismic events: Event I before 9.72 ka B.P., Event II between 8.63–8.20 ka B.P., and Event III between 6.20–6.09 ka B.P. The elapsed time since the last event on this fault is &gt; 8000 years, suggesting that the area is exposed to a significant earthquake hazard. This highlights the need for more precise characterization of individual seismogenic sources for future earthquake preparedness

A novel LMX1B mutation in a family with end-stage renal disease of 'unknown cause'

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) presenting in a familial autosomal dominant pattern points to an underlying monogenic cause. Nail-patella syndrome (NPS) is an autosomal dominant disorder that may lead to ESRD caused by mutations in the transcription factor LMX1B. Renal-limited forms of this disease, termed nail-patella-like renal disease (NPLRD), and LMX1B nephropathy have recently been described. We report a large family, from the North East of England, with seven affected members with varying phenotypes of renal disease, ranging from ESRD at 28 years of age to microscopic haematuria and proteinuria and relatively preserved renal function. In this family, there were no extra-renal manifestations to suggest NPS. Genome-wide linkage studies and inheritance by descent (IBD) suggested disease loci on Chromosome 1 and 9. Whole exome sequencing (WES) analysis identified a novel sequence variant (p.R249Q) in the LMX1B gene in each of the three samples submitted, which was confirmed using Sanger sequencing. The variant segregated with the disease in all affected individuals. In silico modelling revealed that R249 is putatively located in close proximity to the DNA phosphoskeleton, supporting a role for this residue in the interaction between the LMX1B homeodomain and its target DNA. WES and analysis of potential target genes, including CD2AP, NPHS2, COL4A3, COL4A4 and COL4A5, did not reveal any co-inherited pathogenic variants. In conclusion, we confirm a novel LMX1B mutation in a large family with an autosomal dominant pattern of nephropathy. This report confirms that LMX1B mutations may cause a glomerulopathy without extra-renal manifestations. A molecular genetic diagnosis of LMX1B nephropathy thus provides a definitive diagnosis, prevents the need for renal biopsies and allows at risk family members to be screened

DEVELOPMENT OF CAUDAL FIN CELL LINE FROM HILL TROUT Barilius bendelisis (HAMILTON, 1807) FOR CYTOTOXICITY AND TRANSFECTION STUDIES

Stanična linija, nazvana BBdF-1, uspostavljena iz repne peraje Barilius bendelisis, presađena je na više od 52 „oblika“(prolaza) a održavala se u medijima L-15 koji sadrže 20% FBS. Porijeklo stanične linije potvrđeno je pomoću pojačanja djelomičnog područja 16S i COI mitohondrijskih genskih sekvenci. Utvrđeno je da je optimalna temperatura za rast stanične linije BBdF-1 28°C. Kariotipizacijom se utvrdio diploidni broj kromosoma kao 50. Stanice su pokazale snažno vezanje za citokeratinski marker i, prema tome, utvrđeno je da sliče epitelu. Jaka zelena fluorescencija primijećena je u stanicama BBdF-1 transficiranim vektorom phrGFP-II-N, što ukazuje da je prikladna za upotrebu u ispitivanjima ekspresije i manipulacije gena. Izvršena je i uspješna procjena citotoksičnosti dvaju teških metala, žive i kroma. Stanična linija može poslužiti kao koristan izvorni materijal za ranu provjeru toksičnosti pesticida/zagađivača i ekspresije gena.A cell line named BBdF-1, established from the caudal fin of hill stream fish Barilius bendelisis, has been subcultured for more than 52 passages and is being maintained in L-15 media containing 20% FBS. Species origin of the cell line was confirmed using amplification of partial region of 16S and COI mitochondrial gene sequences. The optimum temperature for growth of BBdF-1 cell line was found to be 28°C. Karyotyping revealed diploid chromosome number as 50. Cells exhibited strong binding for cytokeratin marker and thus were found to be epithelial-like. Strong green fluorescence was observed in BBdF-1 cells transfected with phrGFP-II-N vector, indicating its suitability for utilization in gene expression and manipulation studies. Successful assessment of cytotoxicity of two heavy metals, viz. mercury and chromium, was performed. The cell line can serve as a useful resource material for early toxicity screening of pesticides/pollutant and gene expression

Nations within a nation: variations in epidemiological transition across the states of India, 1990–2016 in the Global Burden of Disease Study

18% of the world's population lives in India, and many states of India have populations similar to those of large countries. Action to effectively improve population health in India requires availability of reliable and comprehensive state-level estimates of disease burden and risk factors over time. Such comprehensive estimates have not been available so far for all major diseases and risk factors. Thus, we aimed to estimate the disease burden and risk factors in every state of India as part of the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2016