Study on biology of tea bunch caterpillar Andraca bipunctata on alternative host plant Eurya acuminata of Meghalaya

Aim: The present study was carried out to study the biology of tea caterpillar Andraca bipunctata on Eurya acuminata as an alternate host which will be useful for tea growers of Meghalaya and nearby area to monitor the incidence and timely management of this pest on alternative host itself.Methodology: Insect population was collected from Umiam, Ri-Bhoi district situated in the mid altitude hills (Khasi hills) of Meghalaya. Six locations were selected randomly within the locality for the collection of eggs, larval instars and pupae from the host plant. Host plant was identified at Agro-forestry Division, ICAR-Research Complex for NEH, Umiam. Observations on all the biological parameters were recorded under laboratory conditions and analysed accordingly. Results: In present study, an alternative host of A. bipunctata was found in mid-altitude hills of Meghalaya state during survey which was identified as Eurya acuminatea. The insect was able to easily survive and complete its whole life cycle on this host plant, E. acuminata. Interpretation: E. acuminate acted as an alternative host and safe reservoir site for all the stages of A. bipunctata and thereby this host plant helps to survive the pest during unfavorable condition in main host (tea plantation). A. bipunctata is able to multiply their population on E. acuminata and get ready to damage on the main host for successive years.

Field evaluation of repellency of a polyherbal essential oil against blackflies and its dermal toxicity using rat model

In the present study we have evaluated the repellent activity of mixture of Curcuma longa, Zanthoxylum limonella and Pogostemon heyneanus essential oils in 1:1:2 ratio at 5%, 10% and 20% concentration against blackflies in northeastern India. Initially the essential oil mixture tested here has been found effective against Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. The average protection recorded in 20% concentration (170.56±4.0; 95% CI = 162.09-179.02) was higher as compared to other two concentrations (F = 90.2; p<0.0001; df = 53). Percentage repellency and repellency index was found to be higher in 20% concentration (p<0.017). No appreciable clinical and behavioral signs were observed in the acute dermal toxicity using rat model. No changes were observed in biochemical profiles of treatment group animals. Similarly, no prominent lesions were observed in vital organs of treatment in both the sexes. The study concludes that tested repellent is safe for use and has multi-insects repellent property.

Public health law in India: A framework for its application as a tool for social change.

Public health law focuses on the nexus between law, public health and the legal tools applicable to public health issues. Though there have been consistent interventions to address public health concerns in the past, there exists a need for a contemporary framework to appropriately use modern legal tools for complex health challenges. We identify a checklist of imperative indicators to assess whether public health legislations would be an effective form of intervention to bring about the desired social change.

Bioluminescence emissions of the fi refl y Luciola praeusta Kiesenwetter 1874 (Coleoptera : Lampyridae : Luciolinae).

We recorded the in vivo emission and time-resolved spectra of the fi refl y Luciola praeusta Kiesenwetter 1874 (Coleoptera : Lampyridae : Luciolinae). The emission spectrum shows that the full width at half maximum (FWHM) value for this particular species is 55 nm, which is signifi cantly narrower than the in vivo half-widths reported till now. The time-resolved spectrum reveals that a fl ash of about 100 ms duration is, in fact, composed of a number of microsecond pulses. This suggests that the speed of the enzyme-catalysed chemiluminescence reaction in the fi refl y for the emission of light is much faster than was previously believed.

Lipid abnormalities in hypertensive urban population of dibrugarh district of upper assam.

AIMS: This study aimed to ascertain the prevalence of hypertension among an urban population of Dibrugarh district in Upper Assam and to study the profile of lipid abnormalities in the hypertensives. METHODOLOGY: The study was conducted for a period of one year - from 1 April 2003 to 31 March 2004, and covered 1005 persons selected from a population of approximately 200,000 urban dwellers of Dibrugarh town in Upper Assam. Hypertension was defined on the basis of the Joint National Committee VII criteria and dyslipidemia on the basis of the Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines. The fasting lipid profile was determined for hypertensives as well as controls who did not have hypertension. RESULTS: The prevalence of hypertension in the selected population was found to be 27.9%, of which 54% of those with hypertension also had dyslipidemia. The maximum incidence of hypertension as well as dyslipidemia was observed in the age group of 50-59 years. Of the hypertensives, 34.4% had an elevated level of total cholesterol (>/= 200 mg%), 25.2% had elevated triglycerides (>/= 200 mg%), 33.1% had elevated low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (>/= 130 mg%), and 22.5% had a low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level (< 40 mg%). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of hypertension in this population was higher than the national average of 23%. Dyslipidemia was present in 54% of the hypertensives. Most hypertensives were smokers or alcoholics, and had a higher body mass index than the normotensives and a positive family history. These findings suggest the possibility that this population would be relatively more vulnerable to coronary and cerebrovascular diseases.

Breast conservation therapy for breast cancer: patient profile and treatment outcome at a tertiary care cancer centre.

BACKGROUND: Breast conservation therapy is a well-established treatment modality for early breast cancer. It is not widely practised in developing countries because of a lack of awareness and treatment facilities, and physician and patient bias. We analysed our experience of breast conservation therapy. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 102 patients who had undergone breast conservation surgery and axillary dissection for breast cancer. Surgery was followed by 45 Gy of radiation to the whole breast and 15-20 Gy of tumour bed boost. All high risk patients received adjuvant systemic therapy. The disease profile, morbidity and treatment outcome were analysed. RESULTS: Out of 902 patients, 102 underwent breast conservation therapy (90 had early breast cancer and 12 had locally advanced breast cancer). Only 19.6% of patients with early breast cancer received breast conservation therapy. One-third of the patients had had a prior surgical intervention. The mean tumour size was 2.8 cm, 44% had nodal involvement and 29% were oestrogen- and progesterone-receptor negative. At a mean follow up of 32 months, only 1 patient had local recurrence, and the 5-year projected disease-free and overall survival were 82% and 88%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Breast conservation therapy should be offered to suitable breast cancer patients. Strict adherence to protocol-based therapy and active multidisciplinary coordination are crucial for a successful breast conservation therapy programme. Education of the patient as well as the physician population is necessary for increasing the breast conservation therapy rates in India.