Molecular Tools for Early Detection of Invasive Malaria Vector Anopheles stephensi Mosquitoes.

Reports of the expansion of the Asia malaria vector Anopheles stephensi mosquito into new geographic areas are increasing, which poses a threat to the elimination of urban malaria. Efficient surveillance of this vector in affected areas and early detection in new geographic areas is key to containing and controlling this species. To overcome the practical difficulties associated with the morphological identification of immature stages and adults of An. stephensi mosquitoes, we developed a species-specific PCR and a real-time PCR targeting a unique segment of the second internal transcribed spacer lacking homology to any other organism. Both PCRs can be used to identify An. stephensi mosquitoes individually or in pooled samples of mixed species, including when present in extremely low proportions (1:500). This study also reports a method for selective amplification and sequencing of partial ribosomal DNA from An. stephensi mosquitoes for their confirmation in pooled samples of mixed species.

A comparative evaluation of the diagnostic accuracy of an infrared sensor device with standard mounting procedure in completely edentulous patients: A pilot clinical study.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: The conventional diagnostic mounting procedure in completely edentulous patients is time-consuming and increases the laboratory workload. Alternatives like optical scanners and jaw tracking devices have been documented but have their own shortcomings. PURPOSE: The purpose of this pilot clinical study was to assess the suitability of an infrared sensor scan device in procuring the diagnostic data parameters for completely edentulous patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twelve completely edentulous participants were enrolled in the study. For each, the distance between the arches was measured by 2 clinical techniques at 3 common reference points, M1, M2, M3, for the maxillary arch and m1, m2, m3 for the mandibular arch. The control group measurements were recorded by using a standard diagnostic mounting procedure on a semi-adjustable articulator, and the experimental group measurements were recorded by using an infrared sensor scan device. To convert the analog infrared sensor output into digital data, the Arduino ADC software program was used. The data from both study groups were statistically compared by using the independent t test (α=.05). RESULTS: No significant difference in variation was found between the mean measurements of the device and diagnostic mounting (P>.05). The maximum variation recorded by the experimental device was 1.7 mm, whereas the minimum variation was 0.8 mm (mean 1.25 mm). CONCLUSIONS: The use of precisely calibrated infrared sensors may be a cost-effective option for diagnostic mounting.

Morpho-physiological and biochemical responses of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) genotypes upon sucking insect-pest infestations.

The effects of sucking insect-pests on the morpho-physiological and biochemical changes in the leaves of four cotton genotypes-Bio 100 BG-II and GCH-3 (highly tolerant); KDCHH-9810 BG-II and HS-6 (highly susceptible)-were examined. Compared to tolerant genotypes, susceptible genotypes showed a decrease in relative water content, specific leaf weight, leaf area, photosynthetic rate, and total chlorophyll content, with an increase in electrolyte leakage. Hydrogen peroxide and total soluble sugar content were higher in susceptible plants. In contrast, resistant plants had higher levels of total soluble protein, total phenolic content, gossypol content, tannin content, peroxidase activity, and polyphenol oxidase. The findings demonstrated that the Bio 100 BG-II and GCH-3 genotypes effectively offset the impact of sucking insect-pests by modifying the factors mentioned above. The KDCHH-9810 BG-II and HS-6 genotypes could not completely negate the effects of sucking insect-pests. Customized metabolites and total soluble protein are more efficient in protecting cotton plants from damage brought on by infestations of sucking insects and pests. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12298-022-01253-w.

The role of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the evaluation of hepatobiliary lesions and its correlation with pathological findings.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in assessing hepatobiliary lesions, and to correlate the findings of CEUS for hepatobiliary lesions with those of pathological examination performed through fine needle aspiration. Material and methods: This prospective observational study included 50 patients with hepatobiliary lesions, who were referred for CEUS. The findings of CEUS were correlated with pathological findings. Results: CEUS was determined to be a highly sensitive and specific imaging modality for the detection and characterization of hepatobiliary lesions, with the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of CEUS being 100.0%, 96.8%, 66.7%, 100.0%, and 96.7%, respectively, when correlated with pathological findings. Conclusions: CEUS is a highly sensitive and specific imaging modality for the detection and characterization of hepatobiliary lesions, with wide availability in the present scenario.

Effect of Three Different Cooling and Insulation Techniques on Pulp Chamber Temperature during Direct Temporization with Polymethyl methacrylate-based Resin.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: This in vitro study evaluates and compares the changes in pulp chamber temperature during direct fabrication of provisional restorations in maxillary central incisors after using three different cooling techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Total of 60 samples of maxillary central incisors along with their putty indices were divided into four groups (one control and three experimental) and were prepared using a surveyor cum milling machine. Teeth were sectioned 2 mm below cementoenamel junction and a K-type thermocouple wire was inserted in the tooth and secured at the pulpal roof using amalgam. Putty index filled with DPI tooth molding resin material [polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)] was placed on the tooth and temperature changes per 5 seconds were recorded by temperature indicating device for the control, on-off, precooled putty, and dentin bonding agent (DBA) group. RESULTS: The highest mean obtained was of the control (11.04°C), followed by DBA group (9.53°C), precooled putty group (6.67°C), and on-off group (1.94°C). Precooled putty index group took maximum time to reach the baseline temperature (847.5 seconds). CONCLUSION: On-off technique is the most effective method to reduce the intrapulpal temperature during polymerization, as compared to the other techniques used in the study. Retardation in the polymerization process was seen in precooled putty group, which may make this technique clinically inadvisable. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Thermal protection of pulp must always be considered during direct fabrication of provisional restoration when a PMMA-based resin is used. By using on-off technique, not only the thermal insult to the pulp can be effectively minimized but also the harmful effects of residual monomer (poor marginal fit and pulpal irritation) can be eliminated.

The neuroplasticity marker PSA-NCAM: Insights into new therapeutic avenues for promoting neuroregeneration.

Neuroplastic alterations are the key processes involved in adaptation and rehabilitation after all neurological injuries and pathologies. Being the central contributor to the developmental and adult neuroplasticity, the polysialylated form of Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule (PSA-NCAM) may prove to be a potential target to facilitate repair/regeneration after CNS injury and disease. Over the years, several experimental approaches have been developed to exploit the therapeutic potential of PSA-NCAM. Broadly, the studies focused on cell-transplantation strategies to alter PSA-NCAM properties at the injury site, injection of peptide based as well as synthetic PSA mimetics directly into the injury site or the application of PSA containing hydrogels and scaffolds as biomaterials. A comprehensive understanding of the PSA-based experimental approaches, as well as their pros and cons, is urgently required for successful implementation of this molecule in therapeutics. The current review, therefore, has been designed to give the readers a thorough account of all the diverse roles of PSA in the adult nervous system and the recent progress that has been made in developing PSA-based therapeutic approaches for neuroregeneration.

Low-grade neuroinflammation due to chronic sleep deprivation results in anxiety and learning and memory impairments.

Chronic sleep loss/fragmentation prevalent in the current 24/7 society is associated with irreversible consequences on health and overall wellbeing. Various studies have well documented the ill effects of acute sleep loss on cognitive functions of individuals; however, the underlying mechanism behind the chronic sleep loss is yet to be explored. The present study was aimed to investigate whether chronic sleep deprivation (CSD) triggers anxiety-like behaviour and memory decline in male Wistar rats. Rats were sleep deprived by placing them over slowly rotating drum (2 rpm) for 18 h (between 4 pm and 10 am) followed by 6 h of recovery sleep for 21 consecutive days. Post CSD regimen, rats were subjected to behavioural tests such as elevated plus maze (EPM), Novel Object Recognition (NOR) and Rotarod performance test and then sacrificed to remove brain for further molecular studies. The study demonstrated that CSD rats showed anxiogenic behaviour along with recognition memory decline compared to control rats. CSD rats further showed elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines (TNFα, IL-1ß) along with activation of NFκB and AP1 transcription factors in hippocampus and piriform cortex (PC) regions of brain. These observations were also accompanied by enhanced expression of GFAP and Iba1 in the two brain regions. The data suggest that CSD triggered low-grade neuroinflammation which caused anxiogenic response and recognition memory impairment. The study provides preliminary leads to further explore the role of astrocytes/microglial cells and inflammatory cytokines in mediating these neurobehavioural consequences of chronic sleep loss and to develop effective interventions to combat them.

Withania somnifera as a potential candidate to ameliorate high fat diet-induced anxiety and neuroinflammation.

BACKGROUND: The epidemic of obesity has reached alarming levels in both developing and developed nations. Excessive calorie intake and sedentary lifestyle due to technological advancements are the main causal factors for overweight and obesity among the human population. Obesity has been associated with a number of co-morbidities such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegeneration and dementia. The progression of neurological disorders in obese subjects has been mainly attributed to neuroinflammation. Withania somnifera has been used in numerous Ayurvedic formulations owing to its wide array of health-promoting properties. The current study was designed to test the hypothesis whether dry leaf powder of W. somnifera has anxiolytic and anti-neuroinflammatory potential in diet-induced obesity. METHODS: Young adult female rats were divided into four groups: low fat diet group (LFD) fed with regular chow feed, high fat diet group (HFD) fed with diet containing 30% fat by weight, low fat diet plus extract group (LFDE) fed with regular chow feed supplemented with dry leaf powder of W. somnifera 1 mg/g of body weight (ASH), and high fat diet plus extract group (HFDE) fed with diet containing 30% fat by weight and supplemented with ASH. All the animals were kept on respective feeding regimen for 12 weeks; following which, the animals were tested for their anxiety-like behavior using elevated plus maze test. The animals were sacrificed and used to study various inflammatory markers such as GFAP, Iba1, PPARγ, iNOS, MCP-1, TNFα, IL-1ß, IL-6, and various markers of NF-κB pathway by Western blotting and quantitative real-time PCR. Serum levels of leptin, insulin and pro-inflammatory cytokines were also assayed. RESULTS: ASH treated rats showed less anxiety levels as compared to HFD animals. At molecular level, ASH ameliorated the HFD-induced reactive gliosis and microgliosis and suppressed the expression of inflammatory markers such as PPARγ, iNOS, MCP-1, TNFα, IL-1ß, and IL-6. Further, ASH ameliorated leptin and insulin resistance and prevented HFD-induced apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: Dry leaf powder of W. somnifera may prove to be a potential therapeutic agent to attenuate neuroinflammation associated with obesity and may prevent its co-morbidities.

Withania somnifera as a potential anxiolytic and immunomodulatory agent in acute sleep deprived female Wistar rats.

Sleep is a profound regulator of cellular immunity, and the curtailment of sleep in present day lifestyle leads to disruption of neuro-immune-endocrine interactions. No therapeutic remedy is yet known for the amelioration of detrimental effects caused by sleep deprivation (SD). The current study was aimed to elucidate the effects of acute SD on immune function and its modulation by water extract from leaves of Withania somnifera (ASH-WEX). Three groups of animals, i.e. Vehicle-Undisturbed sleep (VUD), Vehicle-Sleep deprived (VSD) and ASH-WEX fed sleep deprived (WSD) rats were tested for their anxiety-like behaviour and further used for the study of inflammatory and apoptotic markers expression in piriform cortex and hippocampus regions of the brain. VSD animals showed high level of anxiety in elevated plus maze test, which was ameliorated in WSD group. The stress induced expression of inflammatory and immune response markers GFAP, TNFα, IL-6, OX-18 and OX-42 in VSD animals was found to be modulated by ASH-WEX. Further, the stress induced apoptosis was suppressed in WSD group as indicated by expression of NF-κB, AP-1, Bcl-xL and Cytochrome c. This study provides scientific validation to the anxiolytic, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties of ASH-WEX, which may serve as an effective dietary supplement for management of SD induced stress and associated functional impairments.

Intermittent fasting combined with supplementation with Ayurvedic herbs reduces anxiety in middle aged female rats by anti-inflammatory pathways.

Intermittent fasting-dietary restriction (IF-DR) is an increasingly popular intervention to promote healthy aging and delay age associated decline in brain functions. Also, the use of herbal interventions is gaining attention due to their non-pharmacological approach to treat several abnormalities and promote general health with least side effects. The present study was aimed to investigate the synergistic effects of IF-DR regimen with herbal supplementation on anxiety-like behavior and neuroinflammation in middle aged female rats. We used dried leaf powder of Withania somnifera and dried stem powder of Tinospora cordifolia for our study. The rats were divided into three groups: (1) Control group fed ad libitum (AL); (2) rats deprived of food for full day and fed ad libitum on every alternate day (IF-DR); and (3) IF-DR and herbal extract (DRH) group in which rats were fed ad libitum with herbal extract supplemented diet, every alternate day. Post regimen, the rats were tested for anxiety-like behavior and further used for study of key inflammatory molecules (NFκB, Iba1, TNFα, IL-1ß, IL-6) and glial marker (GFAP) in hippocampus and piriform cortex regions of brain. The study was further extended to explore the effect of DRH regimen on stress response protein (HSP70) and calcium dependent regulators of synaptic plasticity (CaMKIIα, Calcineurin). Our data demonstrated that DRH regimen reduced anxiety-like behavior in middle age female rats and associated neuroinflammation by ameliorating key inflammatory cytokines and modulated stress response. The present data may provide scientific validation for anxiolytic and anti-inflammatory potential of herbal intervention combined with short term IF-DR regimen.

Major bile duct injury requiring operative reconstruction after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a follow-on study.

BACKGROUND: Bile duct injury (BDI) after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has significant cost impact and is a significant source of morbidity and mortality. We undertook a population-based assessment of the national experience with BDI between 2001 and 2011 and compared this to our report for the prior decade. METHODS: Using the nationwide inpatient sample (NIS) for 2001-2011, we identified patients who underwent LC or partial cholecystectomy, with and without biliary reconstruction. Data were analyzed using methods that accounted for the hierarchical, stratified random sampling of the NIS. Both univariate modeling and multivariate modeling were performed. RESULTS: LCs increased from 71.1 % in 2001 to 79.0 % in 2011 (p < 0.0001). Annual mortality decreased from 0.56 to 0.38 % (p = 0.002). In 2001, 0.11 % of LCs were associated with biliary reconstruction versus 0.09 % in 2011 (p = 0.15) with rates ranging from 0.08 to 0.12 %. The need for reconstruction was associated with an average in-hospital mortality rate of 4.4 %. Mortality rates from LC remained consistent across the study period (average mortality, 0.10 %, p = 0.57). Under multivariate analysis, admission to rural or urban non-teaching centers was associated with a decreased rate of injury; the majority of major BDIs were admitted from clinic or outpatient settings. These results are consistent with results from the prior decade. Neither emergent admission nor race was associated with increased odds of BDI, and this differs from our prior analysis. CONCLUSION: LC continued to increase in utilization between 2001 and 2011. Although rates of BDI have decreased, the need for reconstruction continues to be associated with a significant mortality. In addition, mortality related to biliary reconstruction is also higher than previously published series and may reflect the complexity of managing biliary injury as well as the higher likelihood of these patients having comorbid conditions.

Self-assembly and biophysical properties of gemini 3-alkyloxypyridinium amphiphiles with a hydroxyl-substituted spacer.

New gemini pyridinium amphiphiles having alkyl chain lengths of C10, C12, C14 , and C16 and appended with hydroxyl-substituted spacers have been synthesized, characterized, and investigated for their self-assembly as well as adsorption behavior by state-of-the-art techniques such as conductometry, tensiometry, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), and spectrofluorometry. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) have provided excellent acumen with respect to the micellar size distribution of investigated dicationics in aqueous media. Furthermore, the interaction of these dicationics with plasmid DNA, at different charge ratios (N/P), has been studied by DLS, agarose gel electrophoresis, and ethidium bromide exclusion measurements. The cytotoxicity of these geminis has been evaluated by using an MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay on BV2 (microglial) and C6 glioma cell lines. It was found that the varying alkyl chain length, fashioned by ether linkage close to the headgroup, and the presence of a polar linker significantly altered the physicochemical properties of these new dicationics as compared to the properties of nonfunctionalized gemini surfactants.

Middle age onset short-term intermittent fasting dietary restriction prevents brain function impairments in male Wistar rats.

Intermittent fasting dietary restriction (IF-DR) is recently reported to be an effective intervention to retard age associated disease load and to promote healthy aging. Since sustaining long term caloric restriction regimen is not practically feasible in humans, so use of alternate approach such as late onset short term IF-DR regimen which is reported to trigger similar biological pathways is gaining scientific interest. The current study was designed to investigate the effect of IF-DR regimen implemented for 12 weeks in middle age rats on their motor coordination skills and protein and DNA damage in different brain regions. Further, the effect of IF-DR regimen was also studied on expression of energy regulators, cell survival pathways and synaptic plasticity marker proteins. Our data demonstrate that there was an improvement in motor coordination and learning response with decline in protein oxidative damage and recovery in expression of energy regulating neuropeptides. We further observed significant downregulation in nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and cytochrome c (Cyt c) levels and moderate upregulation of mortalin and synaptophysin expression. The present data may provide an insight on how a modest level of short term IF-DR, imposed in middle age, can slow down or prevent the age-associated impairment of brain functions and promote healthy aging by involving multiple regulatory pathways aimed at maintaining energy homeostasis.

LncRNA-mediated orchestrations of alternative splicing in the landscape of breast cancer.

Alternative splicing (AS) is a fundamental post-transcriptional process in eukaryotes, enabling a single gene to generate diverse mRNA transcripts, thereby enhancing protein variability. This process involves the excision of introns and the joining of exons in pre-mRNA(s) to form mature mRNA. The resulting mature mRNAs exhibit various combinations of exons, contributing to functional diversity. Dysregulation of AS can substantially modulate protein functions, impacting the onset and progression of numerous diseases, including cancer. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are distinct from protein-coding RNAs and consist of short and long types. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play an important role in regulating several cellular processes, particularly alternative splicing, according to new research. This review provides insight into the latest discoveries concerning how lncRNAs influence alternative splicing within the realm of breast cancer. Additionally, it explores potential therapeutic strategies focused on targeting lncRNAs.

Impact of comorbidity on outcomes and overall survival after open and minimally invasive esophagectomy for locally advanced esophageal cancer.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to examine the impact of the Charlson Comorbidity Index-Grade (CCI-G) on predicting outcomes and overall survival after open and minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE). METHODS: One hundred and forty-six patients who underwent esophagectomy between 1995 and 2011 for stage II and III cancer were selected and separated into open esophagectomy (Open) and MIE groups. Risk adjustment was performed using the CCI-G. The outcomes of interest were operative time, estimated blood loss (EBL), lymph node harvest, length of hospital stay (LOS), major complications, 30-day mortality, and overall survival. RESULTS: Sixty-four patients (44 %) underwent Open while 71 (49 %) had MIE. An additional (7 %) were converted and classified with MIE. There was no significant difference between MIE and Open in terms of operative time. MIE had less EBL (mean difference = 234 mL, p < 0.001), higher lymph node harvest (mean = 7.4 nodes, p < 0.001), and shorter LOS (median = 1.5 days, p = 0.02). Atrial arrhythmias were the most frequent complication, occurring in 33 % of patients in both the MIE and the Open group (p = 0.988). Thirty-day mortality was 2 % for MIE and 5 % for Open (p = 0.459). Five-year survival was 41 % for MIE and 33 % for Open (p = 0.513). Operative approach, age, gender, BMI, clinical stage, and neoadjuvant therapy did not have any significant effect on the outcomes or overall survival. CCI-G influenced outcomes with operative time, LOS, cardiovascular complication, and anastomotic leak rate, favoring CCI-G 0 compared to CCI-G 3. Overall survival was worse for CCI-G 1 in comparison with CCI-G 0 [hazard ratio (HR) 1.99, p = 0.027]. CONCLUSIONS: MIE is a safe alternative to open esophagectomy for the treatment of locally advanced esophageal cancer. The presence of comorbidities increased operative time, length of hospital stay, and postoperative complications while worsening overall survival.

Genetic diversity of Tomistoma schlegelii inferred from mtDNA markers.

The genetic diversity of the endangered crocodile Tomistoma schlegelii was characterized using the protein coding ND 6-tRNA(glu)-cyt b and the cytochrome b-control region (cyt b-CR) markers. Concatenate data revealed six haplotypes with an overall haplotype diversity of 0.769 ± 0.039; nucleotide diversity was 0.00535 ± 0.00172. A nearest-neighbor analysis showed that all individuals clustered with four geographic regions (Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak, and East Kalimantan) and were genetically differentiated. With the exception of the individuals from haplotype H2, which occurred in both Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak, all other haplotypes were geographically distinct. The H4 lineage, which was found to be the most divergent, clustered exclusively in the basal clade in all phylogenetic trees, and the haplotype network was unconnected at the 95% reconnection limit, suggesting further investigation to establish its possible status as a distinct evolutionary significant unit or a cryptic species.

Acclimation response and management strategies to combat heat stress in wheat for sustainable agriculture: A state-of-the-art review.

Unpredicted variability in climate change on the planet is associated with frequent extreme high-temperature events impacting crop yield globally. Wheat is an economically and nutritionally important crop that fulfils global food requirements and each degree rise in temperature results in ∼6% of its yield reduction. Thus, understanding the impact of climate change, especially the terminal heat stress on global wheat production, becomes critically important for policymakers, crop breeders, researchers and scientists to ensure global food security. This review describes how wheat perceives heat stress and induces stress adaptation events by its morpho-physiological, phenological, molecular, and biochemical makeup. Temperature above a threshold level in crop vicinity leads to irreversible injuries, viz. destruction of cellular membranes and enzymes, generation of active oxygen species, redox imbalance, etc. To cope with these changes, wheat activates its heat tolerance mechanisms characterized by hoarding up soluble carbohydrates, signalling molecules, and heat tolerance gene expressions. Being vulnerable to heat stress, increasing wheat production without delay seeks strategies to mitigate the detrimental effects and provoke the methods for its sustainable development. Thus, to ensure the crop's resilience to stress and increasing food demand, this article circumscribes the integrated management approaches to enhance wheat's performance and adaptive capacity besides its alleviating risks of increasing temperature anticipated with climate change. Implementing these integrated strategies in the face of risks from rising temperatures will assist us in producing sustainable wheat with improved yield.

Molecular forms of the Indian Anopheles subpictus complex differ in their susceptibility to insecticides and the presence of knockdown resistance (kdr) mutations in the voltage-gated sodium channel.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the differential insecticide-susceptibility of two molecular forms of Anopheles subpictus complex (A and B) against DDT and pyrethroids, the occurrence of knockdown resistance (kdr) mutations in these forms, and the association of kdr mutations with insecticide resistance. METHODS: Insecticide susceptibility tests of An. subpictus s.l., collected from coastal and inland areas of mainland India, were performed against DDT, permethrin and deltamethrin using the WHO standard insecticide susceptibility test kit. The mosquitoes were characterized for molecular forms using a diagnostic PCR developed in this study. Representative samples of An. subpictus molecular forms A and B were sequenced for a genomic region encompassing the IIS4-5 linker to the IIS6 segments of the voltage-gated sodium channel to identify kdr mutations. A common PIRA-PCR was developed for identifying L1014F-kdr mutation and used for genotyping in both molecular forms of An. subpictus. RESULTS: Molecular form A of An. subpictus was resistant to all three insecticides, i.e., DDT, Permethrin and deltamethrin, whereas Form B was categorized as 'possibly resistant' to these insecticides. Significantly higher mortalities in WHO insecticide susceptibility tests were recorded in Form B compared to Form A in sympatric populations. Molecular characterization of the IIS4-5 linker to IIS-6 segments of the voltage-gated sodium channel revealed the presence of two alternative nucleotide transversions at L1014 residue in Form A, both leading to the same amino acid change, i.e., Leu-to-Phe; however, such mutations could not be observed in Form B. PIRA-PCR-based kdr-genotyping of field populations revealed high frequencies of L1014F-kdr mutations in Form A and the absence of this mutation in Form B. The proportion of L1014F mutation was significantly higher in resistant mosquitoes following insecticide-bioassay with DDT (p<0.0001), permethrin (p<0.001) and deltamethrin (p<0.01) as compared to their susceptible counterparts. CONCLUSIONS: Significant differences in insecticide susceptibility were found between two molecular forms of An. subpictus complex in sympatric populations. The L1014F-kdr mutation was observed in Form A only, which was found to be associated with DDT, permethrin and deltamethrin resistance.

Standardised ido-BR1 Cucumber Extract Improved Parameters Linked to Moderate Osteoarthritis in a Placebo-controlled Study.

BACKGROUND: According to the World Health Organization, osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the 10 most disabling diseases in developed countries, with worldwide estimates of 9.6% prevalence in men and 18.0% in women over 60 years old. Its management is not well established and involves the use of high doses of painkillers coupled with anti-inflammatory agents. OBJECTIVE: In the search for alternatives to manage the disease, previous studies have shown superior properties of Q-ActinTM in managing OA-related pain compared with standard treatments. Qactin is a cucumber extract with the anti-inflammatory iminosugar idoBR1 standardised to over 1%. This study investigated the effects of different doses (20 mg, 100 mg) of Q-Actin in a longitudinal placebo-controlled experiment. METHODS: There were 101 patients with knee OA enrolled for the 180-day study, with 91 patients completing it. Patients were grouped into a placebo group (PLBO), as well as a 20mg dose (Q-Actin 1) and 100 mg dose (Q-Actin 2) groups. The PLBO group received cellulose in capsules identical to the Q-Actin capsules. RESULTS: There was a significant improvement in the pain-related parameters over time that was dose-dependent. CONCLUSION: This study clearly demonstrated the effectiveness of Q-Actin compared to placebo in the management of pain related to moderate osteoarthritis.

Designing a novel multi-epitope vaccine to evoke a robust immune response against pathogenic multidrug-resistant Enterococcus faecium bacterium.

Enterococcus faecium is an emerging ESKAPE bacterium that is capable of causing severe public health complications in humans. There are currently no licensed treatments or vaccinations to combat the deadly pathogen. We aimed to design a potent and novel prophylactic chimeric vaccine against E. faecium through an immunoinformatics approach The antigenic Penicillin-binding protein 5 (PBP 5) protein was selected to identify B and T cell epitopes, followed by conservancy analysis, population coverage, physiochemical assessment, secondary and tertiary structural analysis. Using various immunoinformatics methods and tools, two linear B-cell epitopes, five CTL epitopes, and two HTL epitopes were finally selected for vaccine development. The constructed vaccine was determined to be highly immunogenic, cytokine-producing, antigenic, non-toxic, non-allergenic, and stable, as well as potentially effective against E. faecium. In addition, disulfide engineering, codon adaptation, and in silico cloning, were used to improve stability and expression efficiency in the host E. coli. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations indicated that the structure of the vaccine is stable and has a high affinity for the TLR4 receptor. The immune simulation results revealed that both B and T cells had an increased response to the vaccination component. Conclusively, the in-depth in silico analysis suggests, the proposed vaccine to elicit a robust immune response against E. faecium infection and hence a promising target for further experimental trials.