Hyposalivation in patients with psoriasis: Association with severity, inflammatory, and anti-inflammatory cytokine biomarkers of the disease.

The aim of the study is to expound the effect of psoriasis on salivary glands by evaluating the secretion of saliva and salivary cytokine biomarkers in patients with psoriasis. This study was conducted by recruiting 120 subjects that included 60 patients diagnosed clinically with active psoriasis and 60 healthy controls who were age and gender matched to psoriatic subjects. Unstimulated whole saliva was collected from all the subjects by spitting method, and levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin-2 (IL-2), and IL-10 (IL-10) were determined via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (BT Lab, Shanghai, China). Secretion of saliva in psoriasis patients was considerably reduced than in healthy controls. The concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-2) were significantly increased, whereas level of anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10) was markedly decreased in the saliva of psoriasis patients with hyposalivation compared to healthy subjects. Our results demonstrated significant negative correlation of salivary flow rates with the disease severity. No significant correlations were obtained between salivary levels of tested cytokines and salivary flow rates in our study. Findings of the study reflect inflammation of salivary glands with reduced salivary flow rates in psoriasis patients. The inflammatory responses in salivary gland tissues by virtue of increased pro-inflammatory cytokines concentrations together with lower anti-inflammatory cytokine levels may have a role in affecting the saliva secretion in psoriasis patients. Secretion of unstimulated saliva in psoriasis patients decreases with the severity and duration of the disease.

Influence of biochar in the calcite precipitation of sandy soil using sporosarcina ureae.

The microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) technology is an emerging novel and sustainable technique for soil stabilization and remediation. MICP, a microorganism-mediated biomineralization process, has attracted interest for its potential to enhance soil characteristics. The inclusion of biochar, a carbon-rich substance formed by biomass pyrolysis, adds another degree of intricacy to this process. The study highlights the impact of the combination of biochar and MICP together, using a bacterium, Sporosarcina ureae, on soil improvement. This blend of MICP and biochar improved the soil in terms of its geotechnical properties and also enabled the sequestering of carbon safely. It was observed that addition of 4% biochar significantly increased the soil's shear strength parameters (c and φ) as well as its stiffness after 21 treatment cycles. This improvement was because the calcium carbonate precipitate, which acts as a crucial binding agent, increased significantly due to microbial action in the soil-biochar mixture compared to the pure soil sample. The excess carbonate precipitation on account of biochar addition was verified through SEM-EDAX analysis where the images showed noteworthy carbonate precipitation on the surface of particles and increment in the calcium mass at the same treatment cycles when compared with untreated sand. The collaboration between MICP and biochar effectively increased the carbon sequestration within the sand sample. It was observed that at 21 cycles of treatment, the carbon storage within the sand sample increased by almost 3 times at 4% biochar compared to sand without any biochar. The statistical analysis further affirmed that strength depends on both biochar and the number of treatment cycles, whereas carbon sequestration potential is primarily influenced by the biochar content alone. This strategy, as a sustainable and environmentally friendly approach, has the potential to reform soil improvement practices and contribute to both soil strength enhancement and climate change mitigation, supporting the maintenance of ecological balance.

Effect of ivermectin, amitraz and fipronil on midgut epithelium and digestive enzyme profile in Rhipicephalus microplus ticks (Acari: Ixodidae).

Blood feeding and digestion are vital physiological activities essential for the survival and reproduction of ticks. Chemical acaricides viz., ivermectin, amitraz and fipronil, are known to act on the central nervous system, resulting in the mortality of ticks. The present study is focused on the effect of these acaricides on the midgut and gut enzymes of Rhipicephalus microplus. The ultra-thin sections of midgut of ivermectin-treated ticks showed irregular basal membrane and ruptured digestive vesicles. Amitraz treatment resulted in a notable decrease in digestive cells with pleats in the basal membrane, while fipronil-exposed ticks exhibited reduced digestive cells, loss of cellular integrity, and disintegration of the basal membrane and muscle layer. The gut tissue homogenate of ivermectin and fipronil treated ticks showed a significant reduction of cathepsin D level, 76.54 ± 3.20 µg/mL and 92.67 ± 3.72 µg/mL, respectively, as compared to the control group (150.0 ± 3.80 µg/mL). The leucine aminopeptidase level (4.27 ± 0.08 units/mL) was significantly decreased in the ivermectin treated ticks compared to other treatment groups. The acid phosphatase activity (29.16 ± 0.67 µmole/min/L) was reduced in the ivermectin treated group whereas, increased activity was observed in the fipronil and amitraz treated groups. All the treatment groups revealed increased alkaline phosphatase levels (17.47-26.72 µmole/min/L). The present finding suggests that in addition to the established mechanism of action of the tested acaricides on the nervous system, the alterations in the cellular profile of digestive cells and enzymes possibly affect the blood digestion process and thus the synthesis of vital proteins which are essential for vitellogenesis, and egg production in ticks.

Synbiotics as potent functional food: recent updates on therapeutic potential and mechanistic insight.

Synbiotics are the specific mixtures of prebiotics with probiotics intended to give health benefits to the host by stabilizing and supporting the gut microbiota.The prebiotic substance used in the synbiotics selectively favors the growth and metabolite production of probiotics. Gut microbiome dysbiosis may lead to generation and progression of various chronic diseases. Synbiotics act synergistically to modulate the gut ecosystem for improvement of metabolic health of the host. Probiotics have been found promising against various diseases being safer, effective, as an alternative or combinatorial therapy. Specific combinations of probiotics with suitable prebiotic substrate as synbiotics, may be the more effective therapeutic agents that can provide all benefits of probiotics as well as prebiotics. Though, effective combinations, dosage, mechanism of action, safety, cost effectiveness and other clinical investigations are required to be established along with other relevant aspects. Synbiotics have the potential to be functional food of importance in future. Present review summarizes the mechanistic overview of synbiotics related to gut microbiota, therapeutic potential and promising health benefits for human illnesses according to the available literature. In present scenario, synbiotics are more promising future alternatives as therapeutics to maintain healthy microbiota inside the host gut which directly affects the onset or development ofrelated disorders or diseases.

Layered double hydroxides and their tailored hybrids/composites: Progressive trends for delivery of natural/synthetic-drug/cosmetic biomolecules.

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are well-known and important class of hydrotalcite-type anionic clays (HTs) materials that are cost-effective with additional advantages of facile synthesis, composition, tenability, and reusability. These convincing characteristics are liable for their applications in various fields related to energy, environment, catalysis, biomedical, and biotechnology. HTs/LDHs are generally synthesized from low cost abundantly available chemical precursors through the aqueous synthetic pathways under mild reaction conditions. These materials can be termed green materials based on their non-toxic nature, availability of precursors, facile and low-cost production using aqueous medium conditions with less hazardous effluents. Diverse and fascinating characteristics have been attributed to HTs/LDHs like anion exchange ability, surface basicity, biocompatibility, controlled release of the anion specific area, porosity, easy surface modification, and pH dependent biodegradability. Hence, HTs/LDHs and their modified and/or functionalized nanohybrids/nanocomposites are reported as the potential drug delivery carriers with a capability to stabilize the susceptible bioactive molecules, may enhance the solubility of poorly soluble drugs along with controlled drug/bioactive molecule release and delivery. These clay and bioactive hybrid materials have good biocompatibility, less cytotoxicity, and better site-targeting with improved cellular uptake than that of free parent biomolecules. These lamellar solids of micro/nanostructure are compatible, host-guest materials and able to fabricate with drugs/cosmeceutical/bio- or synthetic polymers without any change in their molecular structure and reactivity along with improvement in their stabilities. Other important features are facile synthesis, basicity, high stability with easy storage, and efficient administration with low bio-toxicity. This study enlightens the applications of HTs/LDHs along with their hybrids/composites in the field of drug/cosmeceutical/gene delivery systems of natural/synthetic biomolecules.

Unraveling the potential of bacterial phytases for sustainable management of phosphorous.

Phosphorous actively participates in numerous metabolic and regulatory activities of almost all living organisms including animals and humans. Therefore, it is considered as an essential macronutrient required supporting their proper growth. On contrary, phytic acid (PA), an antinutritional substance, is widely known for its strong affinity to chelate essential mineral ions including PO4 3- , Ca2+ , Fe2+ , Mg2+ , and Zn2+ . Being one the major reservoir of PO4 3- ions, PA has great potential to bind PO4 3- ions in diverse range of foods. Once combined with P, PA transforms into an undigested and insoluble complex namely phytate. Produced phytate leads to a notable reduction in the bioavailability of P due to negligible activity of phytases in monogastric animals and humans. This highlights the importance and consequent need of enhancement of phytase level in these life forms. Interestingly, phytases, catalyzing the breakdown of phytate complex and recycling the phosphate into ecosystem to its available form, have naturally been reported in a variety of plants and microorganisms over past few decades. In pursuit of a reliable solution, the focus of this review is to explore the keynote potential of bacterial phytases for sustainable management of phosphorous via efficient utilization of soil phytate. The core of the review covers detailed discussion on bacterial phytases along with their widely reported applications viz. biofertilizers, phosphorus acquisition, and plant growth promotion. Moreover, meticulous description on fermentation-based strategies and future trends on bacterial phytases have also been included.

Mung bean as a potent emerging functional food having anticancer therapeutic potential: Mechanistic insight and recent updates.

Cancer is still a major challenge for humans. In recent years, researchers have focused on plant-based metabolites as a safe, efficient, alternative or combinatorial, as well as cost-effective preventive strategy against carcinogenesis. Mung bean is an important nutritious legume, and known for providing various health benefits due to various bioactive phytochemicals and easily digestible proteins. Regular intake of mung bean helps to regulate metabolism by affecting the growth and survival of good microbes in the host gut. Mung bean has also been reported to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiproliferative, and immunomodulatory properties. These properties may possess the preventive potential of mung bean against carcinogenesis. Bibliographic databases for peer-reviewed research literature were searched through a structured conceptual approach using focused review questions on mung beans, anticancer, therapeutics, and functional foods along with inclusion/exclusion criteria. For the appraisal of the quality of retrieved articles, standard tools were employed. A deductive qualitative content analysis methodology further led us to analyze outcomes of the research and review articles. The present review provides recent updates on the anticancer potential of mung bean and the possible mechanism of action thereof to prevent carcinogenesis and metastasis. Extensive research on the active metabolites and mechanisms of action is required to establish the anticancer potential of mung bean. Keeping the above facts in view, mung bean should be investigated for its bioactive compounds, to be considered as functional food of the future.

Acaricides resistance in Rhipicephalus microplus and expression profile of ABC-transporter genes in the sampled populations.

Currently, livestock owners manage tick infestations using chemicals, but the method is increasingly losing effectiveness as resistant tick populations have established in the field conditions. Thus, to develop effective tick management strategies, monitoring of resistance in most predominant tick species, Rhipicephalus microplus was targeted. The ticks were collected from eleven districts of Madhya Pradesh and one district of Punjab and tested against deltamethrin (DLM), cypermethrin (CYP), coumaphos (CMP), ivermectin (IVM) and fipronil (FIP), through adult immersion and larval packet tests. The field isolates were highly resistant to DLM [Resistance factor (RF) = 3.98-38.84]. Against CYP, resistance was observed in BWN (Barwani; RF = 2.81) and MND (Mandsaur; RF = 3.23) isolates. Surprisingly, most of the isolates were susceptible to CMP (0.34-1.58). Emerging level of resistance against IVM (1.05-4.98) and FIP (0.40-2.18) was also observed in all the isolates. Significantly elevated production of esterases (p < 0.01) was 90% correlated with RF of DLM while no positive correlation between production of monooxygenase and Glutathione S-transferase with RF to DLM was noted. Multiple sequence analysis of S4-5 linker region of the sodium channel gene of all the isolates revealed a point mutation at 190th position (C190A) which is associated with DLM resistance. Treatment of resistant LDH (Ludhiana) isolate with IVM resulted in upregulation of RmABCC2 gene and insignificant upregulation of RmABCC1 and RmABCB10 genes indicating the probability of linking IVM resistance with over-expression of RmABCC2 gene. The possible tick management strategies are discussed.

Path of Silibinin from diet to medicine: A dietary polyphenolic flavonoid having potential anti-cancer therapeutic significance.

In the last few decades, targeting cancer by the use of dietary phytochemicals has gained enormous attention. The plausible reason and believe or mind set behind this fact is attributed to either lesser or no side effects of natural compounds as compared to the modern chemotherapeutics, or due to their conventional use as dietary components by mankind for thousands of years. Silibinin is a naturally derived polyphenol (a flavonolignans), possess following biochemical features; molecular formula C25H22O10, Molar mass: 482.44 g/mol, Boiling point 793 °C, with strikingly high antioxidant and anti-tumorigenic properties. The anti-cancer properties of Silibinin are determined by a variety of cellular pathways which include induction of apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, inhibition of angiogenesis and metastasis. In addition, Silibinin controls modulation of the expression of aberrant miRNAs, inflammatory response, and synergism with existing anti-cancer drugs. Therefore, modulation of a vast array of cellular responses and homeostatic aspects makes Silibinin an attractive chemotherapeutic agent. However, like other polyphenols, the major hurdle to declare Silibinin a translational chemotherapeutic agent, is its lesser bioavailability. After summarizing the chemistry and metabolic aspects of Silibinin, this extensive review focuses on functional aspects governed by Silibinin in chemoprevention with an ultimate goal of summarizing the evidence supporting the chemopreventive potential of Silibinin and clinical trials that are currently ongoing, at a single platform.

Economic impact of predominant ticks and tick-borne diseases on Indian dairy production systems.

As per 20th livestock census, India possessing 193.46 million cattle and 109.85 million buffaloes in organized and unorganized sectors. These animals are suffering from tick infestation almost throughout the year causing both direct and indirect losses. Repeated use of chemical acaricides for tick management resulted in the establishment of acaricide resistant tick populations, insecticide residues in livestock products and environmental pollution. In the present study, analysis of the data generated during 1990-2021 revealed pooled prevalence of infestations in cattle and buffaloes was 53% [95% CI = 47-60%] and 38% [95% CI = 28-49%], respectively. Based on peripheral blood smear examination the prevalence of theileriosis, babesiosis and anaplasmosis in cattle is estimated as 17% [95% CI = 12-24%], 4% [95% CI = 3-6%] and 5% [95% CI = 3-7%], respectively, while in buffalo the prevalence of infection is estimated as 7% [95% CI = 2-21%], 2% [95% CI = 0-5%] and 8% [95% CI = 2-36%],respectively.To estimate economic impact, both direct (reduction in milk production, cost of treatment, leather depreciation) and indirect (milk loss and treatment cost) losses were taken into consideration. Loss of milk production was predicted as 13.91, 56.91 and 85.34L/cross-bred cow/lactation in low, moderate and high tick infestation conditions, respectively. Whereas, 20.10, 7.01L milk/buffalo/lactation in Hyalomma spp. and Rhipicephalus spp. infestation was estimated. Similarly,the estimated loss of milk production due to clinical theileriosis, babesiosis and anaplasmosis was 57.96, 30.96 and 59.22L, respectively. The cumulative (milk loss, treatment cost and leather loss) loss due to tick infestation was calculated as 46199.31 million INR (USD595.07 million) while due to TBDs 14877.15 million INR (USD191.15 million) = 61076.46 million INR (USD787.63 million). The data provided base line information for the policy maker to develop strategies at government level so that the significantly high cumulative loss of 787.63 million USD due to ticks and tick borne diseases (TTBDs) can be minimized.

Role of expression of host cytokines in the pathogenesis of H9N2-PB2 reassortant and non-reassortant H5N1 avian influenza viruses isolated from crows in BALB/c mice.

The present experiment was conducted to study the role of cytokine, chemokine and TLRs responses of H9N2-PB2 reassortant H5N1 virus as compared to non-reassortant H5N1 virus isolated from crows in BALB/c mice. Two groups (12 mice each) of 6-8 weeks old BALB/c mice were intranasally inoculated with 106 EID50/ml of viruses A/crow/India/03CA04/2015 (H9N2-PB2 reassortant H5N1) and A/crow/India/02CA01/2012 (non-reassortant H5N1). At each interval, brain, lung and spleen were collected and relative quantification of cytokines, chemokines and TLRs was done by qPCR. The H9N2-PB2 reassortant H5N1 infected mice brain, the transcripts of TLR7 were significantly higher than other cytokines at 3dpi and KC was significantly upregulated at 7dpi. In non-reassortant H5N1 infected mice brain showed, TLR 7 and IFNα upregulation at 3dpi and IFNγ and TLR7 upregulation at 7dpi. The H9N2-PB2 reassortant H5N1 infected mice lung revealed, IL2 and TLR7 significant upregulation at 3dpi and in non-reassortant H5N1 infected mice, IL6 was significantly upregulated. At 7dpi in H9N2-PB2 reassortant H5N1 virus infected group mice, IL1 and TLR 3 were significantly upregulated in lungs and in non-reassortant group mice, IL1 and TLR7 were significantly upregulated. At 3dpi in H9N2-PB2 reassortant H5N1 virus infected mice spleen, IL4, IFNα, IFNß were significantly downregulated and TLR7 transcript was significantly upregulated. In non-reassortant group mice, IL6, IFNα, IFNß and TLR 3 were significantly upregulated. At 7dpi in H9N2-PB2 reassortant H5N1 virus infected mice spleen, IFNα, IFNß and TLR7 were significantly lower than other cytokines and in non-reassortant group mice, IFNα and IFNß were significantly downregulated. This study concludes that dysregulation of cytokines in lungs and brain might have contributed to the pathogenesis of both the viruses in mice.

Evaluation of acaricidal resistance status of Rhipicephalus microplus ticks from the hilly state (Uttarakhand) of India and evaluation of efficacy of a natural formulation for the management of resistant ticks.

The resistance status against deltamethrin, cypermethrin, coumaphos and ivermectin was assessed of Rhipicephalus microplus from five districts of Uttarakhand, through adult immersion test and larval packet test. The field isolates were highly resistant to deltamethrin (median resistance ratio [RR50] = 9.10-29.13-fold) followed by cypermethrin (2.23-3.55). Surprisingly the isolates were susceptible to coumaphos (0.34-3.17). Emerging resistance against ivermectin (1.55-3.27) was also observed in all the isolates. Elevated levels of esterases (enzyme ratio = 2.93-5.84-fold), glutathione S-transferases (5.10-10.06) and monooxygenases (1.68-4.02) in resistant fields isolates were highly correlated (47.4-86.0%) with the resistant factor (RR50) determined by bioassay. All the isolates except Uttarkashi possess mutation at the 190th position in domain II of the sodium channel gene. As a mitigation strategy an Ageratum conyzoides-based characterized natural formulation was tested against all the isolates and was found effective at the concentration of 10.1-11.5%. The possibility of using the natural formulation for the management of multi-acaricide resistant ticks is discussed.

Utilization of macro-nutrients and minerals in captive greater one-horned rhinoceros fed season-specific diets.

This experiment was conducted to study nutrient and mineral utilization in greater one-horned rhinoceros fed season-specific diets. Nine adult greater one-horned rhinoceros (774-2407 kg BW) of Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park, Patna, Bihar, India, were used in this experiment. Three digestion trials of 60-d duration were conducted per animal, out of which 55 days was adaptation period and 5 days was collection period. The amount of concentrate was kept constant during all the trials. Green fodder sources were sugarcane, berseem (Trifolium alexndrinum) and chari (Sorghum bicolor) during trials I, II and III respectively. Green fodders were offered 20% in excess of previous day's intake in the afternoon. Apparent digestibility of dry matter and crude fibre was higher (p < .01) in group II as compared to other groups. Apparent digestibility of crude protein was lowest (p < .01) in group I, followed by group III, and the highest value was observed in group II. Apparent digestibility of Ca and P was lower in greater one-horned rhinoceros fed sugarcane and sorghum as green fodder source. In spite of this, sugarcane and sorghum-based diets were able to meet the requirement of Ca, P, Fe and Mn. Berseem supplied Ca in excess of requirement. All the diets were deficient in Zn. Hence, a suitable supplement of Zn should be added to the conventional zoo diet of greater one-horned rhinoceros.

Comparative susceptibility of Rhipicephalus microplus collected from the northern state of India to coumaphos, malathion, deltamethrin, ivermectin, and fipronil.

The chemical-based tick management method is gradually losing its clutch due to the establishment of resistant ticks. For development of region-specific tick management strategies, the present study was aimed to evaluate the comparative resistance profile of Rhipicephalus microplus isolates collected from seven districts of Uttar Pradesh, a northern state of India. Comparative analysis of the dose-response data using adult immersion test (AIT) against coumaphos, malathion, deltamethrin, ivermectin, and fipronil revealed that all the isolates were resistant to discriminating concentration of deltamethrin having LC50 of 295.12-436.52 ppm with a resistance ratio of 22.02-32.58. An emerging low level of ivermectin resistance (resistance ratio, RR50 = 1.03-2.26) with LC50 in the range of 22.39-48.98 ppm was found across the isolates. The coumaphos was highly effective against all except Amethi (AMT) isolate. Similarly, malathion was efficacious against most of the isolates except Pratapgarh (PRT) and Sultanpur (SUL) isolates showing LC50 of 5128.61 and 5623.41 ppm, respectively. All the isolates were responsive to fipronil. Comparative detoxifying enzymes profiles revealed a significant correlation between the increased activity of esterase and deltamethrin resistance. The GST activity was 51.2% correlated with RR50 of malathion while esterase activity was significantly correlated (68.9%) with RR50 of coumaphos. No correlation between the ivermectin resistance and enzyme activity was established. Multiple sequence analysis of S4-5 linker region of the sodium channel gene of all the isolates revealed a point mutation at 190th position (C190A) which is associated with deltamethrin resistance. The possible tick management strategies in this part of the country are discussed.

Experimental pathology of two highly pathogenic H5N1 viruses isolated from crows in BALB/c mice.

In this study, we assessed the pathogenicity of two H5N1 viruses isolated from crows in mice. Eighteen 6-8 weeks BALB/c mice each were intranasally inoculated with 106 EID50/ml of H5N1 viruses A/crow/India/03CA04/2015 (H9N2-PB2 reassortant H5N1) and A/crow/India/02CA01/2012 (Non-reassortant H5N1). The infected mice showed dullness, weight loss and ruffled fur coat. Histopathological examination of lungs showed severe congestion, haemorrhage, thrombus, fibrinous exudate in perivascular area, interstitial septal thickening, bronchiolitis and alveolitis leading to severe pneumonic changes and these lesions were less pronounced in reassortant virus infected mice. Viral replication was demonstrated in nasal mucosa, lungs, trachea and brain in both the groups. Brain, lung, nasal mucosa and trachea showed significantly higher viral RNA copies and presence of antigen in immunohistochemistry in both the groups. This study concludes that both the crow viruses caused morbidity and mortality in mice and the viruses were phenotypically highly virulent in mice. The H5N1 viruses isolated from synanthropes pose a serious public health concern and should be monitored continuously for their human spill-over.

Standardization of tick specific biochemical tools for estimation of esterases, monooxygenases and glutathione S-transferase for characterization of acaricide resistance.

Protocols to determine metabolic resistance in ticks were mainly derived from reports published using mosquitoes and agriculturally important insects without prior standardization. In the present study, biochemical assays were standardized to quantify acaricide metabolizing enzymes in tick homogenates. Three variables viz., age, number of larvae and reaction time were optimized using reference susceptible IVRI-I and deltamethrin resistant IVRI-IV (Resistance Factor = 194) tick strains. The optimum conditions for estimation of general esterases were 10-15 day old 40 larvae with 15 mins reaction time, 15-20 day old 40 larvae with 20 mins reaction time for Glutathione S- transferase, while 10-15 day old 80 larvae with 5 mins reaction time for monooxygenase. The standardized protocols were further validated in multi acaricide resistant strain (IVRI-V) and in nine field isolates having variable resistant factors to different acaricides. In all the nine heterogeneous field isolates, a significant correlation (p < .05) between resistance to synthetic pyrethroids and over-expression of esterases and monooxygenase was noticed. Similarly, esterases and GST activities were significantly correlated with resistance to organophosphates. The details of the assay protocol are explained for adoption in different laboratories.

Emergence of fipronil resistant Rhipicephalus microplus populations in Indian states.

The intensive usage of chemical acaricides for the control of the cattle tick Rhipicephalus microplus has resulted in the development and establishment of multi-acaricide resistant populations. Fipronil, a phenylpyrazole insecticide, is currently marketed in India for the management of this important veterinary tick species. Here, we tested Indian isolates of R. microplus which have developed multi-acaricide resistance, for their susceptibility to fipronil. Twenty-five field isolates from five agro-climatic zones of the country were collected and tested by adult immersion test (AIT) and larval packet test (LPT). Sixteen isolates with resistance factor (RF) in the range of 1.56-10.9 were detected using LPT, whereas only 11 isolates with RF ranging from 1.05 to 4.1 were detected using AIT. A significant variation of RF between both tests was found, which raises doubt about the suitability of larva-based assays in screening of fipronil resistance. The data indicated possible cross-resistance between groups of acaricides in fipronil-resistant tick populations.

Acaricide resistance in Rhipicephalus microplus collected from selected districts of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab states of India.

The isolates of Rhipicephalus microplus collected from Madhya Pradesh (MP), Punjab (PJB) and Uttar Pradesh (UP) states of India were characterized using laboratory standardized adult immersion test (AIT) against macrocyclic lactone (ivermectin), synthetic pyrethroids (cypermethrin and deltamethrin), organophosphates (coumaphos and diazinon) and phenylpyrazole compounds (fipronil). Out of the six isolates tested, five isolates except MTH were resistant to deltamethrin and cypermethrin at level II with RF ranging from 16.4 to 24.02 and 7.05 to 13.2, respectively. In case of organophosphates, coumaphos was less effective showing resistance level II (RF 8.52-11.2) in all the six populations compared with diazinon to which three isolates (MHW, RWA and AGS) were resistant at level II. Except MTH, other five isolates were categorized at level I with RF ranging from 1.53 to 3.02 against ivermectin. The phenylpyrazole compound however was found effective, and none of the isolates could survive at a discriminating concentration. The possible strategy for the management of multi-acaricide-resistant ticks in the surveyed districts was discussed in the present study.

Cancer molecular markers: A guide to cancer detection and management.

Cancer is generally caused by the molecular alterations which lead to specific mutations. Advances in molecular biology have provided an impetus to the study of cancers with valuable prognostic and predictive significance. Over the hindsight various attempts have been undertaken by scientists worldwide, in the management of cancer; where, we have witnessed a number of molecular markers which allow the early detection of cancers and lead to a decrease in its mortality rate. Recent advances in oncology have led to the discovery of cancer markers that has allowed early detection and targeted therapy of tumors. In this context, current review provides a detail outlook on various molecular markers for diagnosis, prognosis and management of therapeutic response in cancer patients.

Evaluation of ACC-deaminase-producing rhizobacteria to alleviate water-stress impacts in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants.

Application of plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) is an environmentally sustainable option to reduce the effects of abiotic and biotic stresses on plant growth and productivity. Bacteria isolated from rain-fed agriculture field soils in the Central Himalaya Kumaun region, India, were evaluated for the production of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) deaminase. Those producing ACC deaminase in high amounts were evaluated for their potential to improve wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plant growth under irrigated and water-stress conditions in two glasshouse experiments. Some of the isolates also showed other plant-growth-promoting (PGP) traits, e.g., N2 fixation, siderophore production, and phosphate solubilization; however, strains with higher ACC deaminase activity showed the greatest effects. These were Variovorax paradoxus RAA3; Pseudomonas spp. DPC12, DPB13, DPB15, DPB16; Achromobacter spp. PSA7, PSB8; and Ochrobactrum anthropi DPC9. In both simulated irrigated and water-stress conditions, a single inoculation of RAA3 and a consortium of DPC9 + DPB13 + DPB15 + DPB16 significantly improved wheat plant growth and foliar nutrient concentrations and caused significant positive changes in antioxidant properties compared with noninoculated plants especially under water stress. These findings imply that PGPB having ACC deaminase activity together with other PGP traits could potentially be effective inoculants to improve the growth of wheat plants in water-stressed rain-fed environments.