On the variability and prediction of rainfall in the post-monsoon season over India

Considerable rainfall occurs in India during the post-monsoon period from October to December, particularly over north-eastern, eastern and southern regions, and this is of great significance in agricultural and allied sectors. For the first time, we have attempted to provide detailed information on the variability and predictability of the post-monsoon rainfall (PMR) of the country. Details on the summer monsoon rainfall from June to September are extensively documented. This study comprises four sections: (i) examination of large-scale rainfall features; (ii) examination of small-scale (or regional) rainfall features; (iii) diagnostic study in order to identify possible regional forcings and global teleconnections; and (iv) modelling long-period rainfall series and extrapolation of future trends for the next 10 years

Classifying epilepsy pragmatically: Past, present, and future

The classification of epilepsy is essential for people with epilepsy and their families, healthcare providers, physicians and researchers. The International League Against Epilepsy proposed updated seizure and epilepsy classifications in 2017, while another four-dimensional epilepsy classification was updated in 2019. An Integrated Epilepsy Classification system was proposed in 2020. Existing classifications, however, lack consideration of important pragmatic factors relevant to the day-to-day life of people with epilepsy and stakeholders. Despite promising developments, consideration of comorbidities in brain development, genetic causes, and environmental triggers of epilepsy remains largely user-dependent in existing classifications. Demographics of epilepsy have changed over time, while existing classification schemes exhibit caveats. A pragmatic classification scheme should incorporate these factors to provide a nuanced classification. Validation across disparate contexts will ensure widespread applicability and ease of use. A team-based approach may simplify communication between healthcare personnel, while an individual-centred perspective may empower people with epilepsy. Together, incorporating these elements into a modern but pragmatic classification scheme may ensure optimal care for people with epilepsy by emphasising cohesiveness among its myriad users. Technological advancements such as 7T MRI, next-generation sequencing, and artificial intelligence may affect future classification efforts

Evaluation of Rapid Diagnostics for Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax in Mae Sot Malaria Endemic Area, Thailand

Prompt and accurate diagnosis of malaria is the key to prevent disease morbidity and mortality. This study was carried out to evaluate diagnostic performance of 3 commercial rapid detection tests (RDTs), i.e., Malaria Antigen Pf/Pan™, Malaria Ag-Pf™, and Malaria Ag-Pv™ tests, in comparison with the microscopic and PCR methods. A total of 460 blood samples microscopically positive for Plasmodium falciparum (211 samples), P. vivax (218), mixed with P. falciparum and P. vivax (30), or P. ovale (1), and 124 samples of healthy subjects or patients with other fever-related infections, were collected. The sensitivities of Malaria Ag-Pf™ and Malaria Antigen Pf/Pan™ compared with the microscopic method for P. falciparum or P. vivax detection were 97.6% and 99.0%, or 98.6% and 99.0%, respectively. The specificities of Malaria Ag-Pf™, Malaria Ag-Pv™, and Malaria Antigen Pf/Pan™ were 93.3%, 98.8%, and 94.4%, respectively. The sensitivities of Malaria Ag-Pf™, Malaria Antigen Pf/Pan™, and microscopic method, when PCR was used as a reference method for P. falciparum or P. vivax detection were 91.8%, 100%, and 96.7%, or 91.9%, 92.6%, and 97.3%, respectively. The specificities of Malaria Ag-Pf™, Malaria Ag-Pv™, Malaria Antigen Pf/Pan™, and microscopic method were 66.2%, 92.7%, 73.9%, and 78.2%, respectively. Results indicated that the diagnostic performances of all the commercial RDTs are satisfactory for application to malaria diagnosis

Plodia interpunctella (hubner, 1813) & nemapogon granellus (Linnaeus, 1758) - Uncommon pests on stored garlic (Allium Sativum L.) in the Czech Republic

Garlic is one of several important vegetable species grown in the Czech Republic. Ditylenchus dipsaci (Kuhn, 1857) (Tylenchida: Anguinidae), Aceria tulipae (Keifer, 1938) (Acari: Eriophyidae), Rhizoglyphus echinopus (Fumouze & Robin, 1868) (Acari: Acaridae) and R. robinii Claparede, 1869 (Acari: Acaridae), Suillia lurida (Meigen, 1830) (Diptera: Heleomyzidae) are common pest species found on garlic plants in the Czech Republic. Nowadays Aceria tulipae (Keifer, 1938) is beginning to be considered as the one causing damage. Plodia interpunctella (Hubner, 1813) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and Nemapogon granellus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Lepidoptera: Tineidae) are small moths which are common pests usually found on stored products. Both of these species larvae were found as the uncommon pests of stored garlic in the Czech Republic in January 2016. Until now, their harmfulness on stored garlic has been reported only from Central America.O

Editorial: Recent insights into the double role of hydrogen peroxide in plants

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) of varied types can be yielded in plants at several primary sites (such as the chloroplast, mitochondria, and peroxisomes) under normal aerobic metabolism via processes including photosynthetic and respiratory electron transport chains. However, impaired oxidant-antioxidant balance and extreme growth conditions in plants are bound to cause increases in the cellular concentrations of radical and non-radical ROS such as superoxide anions (O2•−), hydroxyl radical (OH•), singlet oxygen (1O2), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). On the one hand, H2O2 has no unpaired electrons and is moderately reactive. Owing to its relative stability compared to other ROS and its capacity for diffusing through aquaporins in the membranes and over more considerable distances within the cell (Bienert et al., 2007), H2O2 acts as a stress signal transducer and contributes to numerous physiological functions in plants. On the other hand, H2O2 is a relatively long-lived molecule with a half-life of 1 ms, readily crosses biological membranes, and consequently can bring oxidative consequences far from the site of its formation (Neill et al., 2002; Sharma et al., 2012; Sehar et al., 2021). The Frontiers Research Topic “Recent Insights into the Double Role of Hydrogen Peroxide in Plants” highlighted the major mechanisms underlying the dual role of H2O2 in response to different abiotic stresses in plants. This Research Topic incorporated 19 publications, including 10 original research articles, 8 reviews, and one perspective article

Macular Infarction Associated with Reactive Arthritis

A 53-year-old woman visited the Department of Rheumatology with a chief complaint of a 3-day history of fever and chills and also presented with pain occuring in both knees at the time of outpatient visit. Based on rheumatologic and hematological lab studies, ultrasonography, and a needle aspiration biopsy of the articular cavity, the patient was diagnosed with reactive arthritis. On hospitalization day 3, consultation with the Department of Ophthalmology was requested regarding decreased visual acuity lasting for 3 days. Upon ophthalmologic examination, the corrected visual acuity was 0.1 in the right eye and 0.05 in the left eye. Upon slit lamp microscopy, there were no abnormal findings in the anterior segment. Upon fundus examination, however, there were yellow-white lesions in the macular area of both eyes. Fluorescein angiographywas performed to assess the macular lesions, and the findings were suggestive of macular infarction in both eyes. Due to a lack of other underlying disease, a past surgical history, and a past history of drug administration, the patient was diagnosed with macular infarction in both eyes associated with reactive arthritis. To date, there have been no other such cases reported. In a patient with reactive arthritis, we experienced a case of macular infarction in both eyes, which occurred without association with a past history of specific drug use or underlying disease. Herein, we report our case, with a review of the literature

A randomized, parallel study of the safety and efficacy of 45 mg primaquine versus 75 mg bulaquine as gametocytocidal agents in adults with blood schizonticide-responsive uncomplicated falciparum malaria [ISCRTN50134587]

BACKGROUND: The WHO recommends that adults with uncomplicated P. falciparum successfully treated with a blood schizonticide receive a single dose of primaquine (PQ) 45 mg as a gametocytocidal agent. An earlier pilot study suggested that 75 mg of bulaquine (BQ), of which PQ is a major metabolite, may be a useful alternate to PQ. METHODS: In a randomized, partial blind study, 90 hospitalized adults with Plasmodium falciparum malaria that was blood schizonticide-responsive and a gametocytemia of > 55/μl within 3 days of diagnosis were randomized to receive single doses of either PQ 45 mg or BQ 75 mg on day 4. We assessed gametocytemia on days 8, 15, 22 and 29 and gametocyte viability as determined by exflagellation (2° end point) on day 8. RESULTS: On day 8, 20/31 (65%) primaquine recipients versus 19/59 (32%) bulaquine recipients showed persistence of gametocytes (P = 0.002). At day 15 and beyond, all patients were gametocyte free. On day 8, 16/31 PQ and 7/59 BQ volunteers showed gametocyte viability (p = 0.000065). CONCLUSION: BQ is a safe, useful alternate to PQ as a Plasmodium falciparum gametocytocidal agent and may clear gametocytemia faster than PQ