A Cross Sectional Study to Assess the Levels of Depression and Anxiety in Patients with Chronic Obstruction Pulmonary Disease in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Background: Objective: In the present study, demographic profile, knowledge and motivation of COPD patients attending tertiary hospital, the level of anxiety and depression is assessed. Methods: This cross - sectional study was carried out on consecutive patients with COPD during their routine out - and in - patient visits in the tertiary care hospital during 4 months (April 2019 to July 2019). Physician confirmed cases of more than 1 - year duration were included in the study. Thus 194 COPD patients were admitted in the ward. They were interviewed by using HADS scale and Modified Morisky scale. The diagnosis of COPD was confirmed by Chest X - ray and Spirometery tes t and a history of exacerbation or hospitalization over past 6 months was also obtained. The chi square - test, t - test and one - way analysis of variance were used in the univariate analyses, whilst regression was used in the multiple variable analyses. Result s: A total of 194 COPD individuals, 124 Males and 70 Females were enrolled in the study. The mean age of the respondents was 49.16 ± 8.20 (25 - 62) years. The mean scores for anxiety and depression were 19.12± 2.38 and 11.54± 2.50 respecti vely. Both anxiety and depression scores were statistically significant between the gender. Among males 70 % cases were having no comorbid conditions; however, 57.10 % females were having more than two comorbid conditions. Conclusion: Pres ent study illustrates that anxiety and depression are common in patients with COPD, furthermore, patients with depressive disorders have more comorbidities in comparison with patient with anxi

Effect of directional selection for body size on fl uctuating asymmetry in certain morphological traits in Drosophila ananassae.

Variation in the subtle differences between the right and left sides of bilateral characters or fl uctuating asymmetry (FA) has been considered as an indicator of an organism’s ability to cope with genetic and environmental stresses during development. However, due to inconsistency in the results of empirical studies, the relationship between FA and stress has been the subject of intense debate. In this study, we investigated whether stress caused by artifi cial bidirectional selection for body size has any effect on the levels of FA of different morphological traits in Drosophila ananassae. The realised heritability (h2) was higher in low-line females and high-line males, which suggests an asymmetrical response to selection for body size. Further, the levels of FA were compared across 10 generations of selection in different selection lines in both sexes for sternopleural bristle number, wing length, wing-to-thorax ratio, sex combtooth number and ovariole number. The levels of FA differed signifi cantly among generations and selection lines but did not change markedly with directional selection. However, the levels of FA were higher in the G10 generation (at the end of selection) than G0 (at the start of selection) but lower than the G5 generation in different selection lines, suggesting that the levels of FA are not affected by the inbreeding generated during the course of selection. Also, the levels of FA in the hybrids of high and low lines were signifi cantly lower than the parental selection lines, suggesting that FA is infl uenced by hybridisation. These results are discussed in the framework of the literature available on FA and its relationship with stress.

Variations in morphological and life-history traits under extreme temperatures in Drosophila ananassae.

Using half-sib analysis, we analysed the consequences of extreme rearing temperatures on genetic and phenotypic variations in the morphological and life-history traits of Drosophila ananassae. Paternal half-sib covariance contains a relatively small proportion of the epistatic variance and lacks the dominance variance and variance due to maternal effect, which provides more reliable estimates of additive genetic variance. Experiments were performed on a mass culture population of D. ananassae collected from Kanniyakumari (India). Two extremely stressful temperatures (18°C and 32°C) and one standard temperature (25°C) were used to examine the effect of stressful and non-stressful environments on the morphological and life-history traits in males and females. Mean values of various morphological traits differed signifi cantly among different temperature regimens in both males and females. Rearing at 18°C and 32°C resulted in decreased thorax length, wing-to-thorax (w/t) ratio, sternopleural bristle number, ovariole number, sex comb-tooth number and testis length. Phenotypic variances increased under stressful temperatures in comparison with non-stressful temperatures. Heritability and evolvability based on among-sires (males), among-dams (females), and the sum of the two components (sire + dam) showed higher values at both the stressful temperatures than at the non-stressful temperature. These differences refl ect changes in additive genetic variance. Viability was greater at the high than the low extreme temperature. As viability is an indicator of stress, we can assume that stress was greater at 18°C than at 32°C in D. ananassae. The genetic variations for all the quantitative and life-history traits were higher at low temperature. Variation in sexual traits was more pronounced as compared with other morphometric traits, which shows that sexual traits are more prone to thermal stress. Our results agree with the hypothesis that genetic variation is increased in stressful environments.

Genetics of sexual behaviour in Drosophila.

The analysis of genetics of behaviour within and between species provides important clues about the forces shaping the evolution of behavioural genes. In Drosophila, a number of key processes such as emergence from the pupal case, locomotor activity, feeding, olfaction and aspects of mating behaviour are under circadian regulation. Genes controlling sexual behaviour are likely to control species specific differences in courtship that are involved in reproductive isolation of closely related species. Courtship in Drosophila is characterized by a series of stereotyped behaviours that lead to copulation and more than 30 genes have been identified through mutations that affect one or more of these elements. Although curiosity about behavioural differences between the sexes undoubtedly predates recorded history, little efforts have been made to uncover the molecular basis of male and female courtship. The brain and nervous system functions that underlie sex-specific behaviour are of obvious importance to all animals including humans. To understand behaviour related to sex it is important to distinguish those aspects that are controlled genetically. The isolation and analysis of Drosophila mutants with altered sexual orientation lead to the identification of novel branches in the sex-determination cascade, which govern the sexually dimorphic development of the nervous system.

Genetic basis of hybrid male sterility among three closely related species of Drosophila.

The genetic basis of hybrid male sterility among three closely related species, Drosophila bipectinata, D. parabipectinata and D. malerkotliana has been investigated by using backcross analysis methods. The role of Y chromosome, major hybrid sterility (MHS) genes (genetic factors) and cytoplasm (non-genetic factor) have been studied in the hybrids of these three species. In the species pair, bipectinata--parabipectinata, Y chromosome introgression of parabipectinata in the genomic background of bipectinata and the reciprocal Y chromosome introgression were unsuccessful as all males in second backcross generation were sterile. Neither MHS genes nor cytoplasm was found important for sterility. This suggests the involvement of X-Y, X-autosomes or polygenic interactions in hybrid male sterility. In bipectinata--malerkotliana and parabipectinata--malerkotliana species pairs, Y chromosome substitution in reciprocal crosses did not affect male fertility. Backcross analyses also show no involvement of MHS genes or cytoplasm in hybrid male sterility in these two species pairs. Therefore, X- autosome interaction or polygenic interaction is supposed to be involved in hybrid male sterility in these two species pairs. These findings also provide evidence that even in closely related species, genetic interactions underlying hybrid male sterility may vary.

Evidence for minority male mating success and minority female mating disadvantage in Drosophila ananassae

Frequency-dependent mating success was tested for three pairs of wild-type and mutant strains of Drosophila ananassae, MY and yellow body color (y), PN and claret eye color (ca), and TIR and cut wing (ct). The two strains of each pair were chosen for their approximately equal mating propensities. Multiple-choice experiments, using different experimental procedures, were employed. The tests were carried out by direct observation in Elens-Wattiaux mating chambers with five different sex ratios (4:16, 8:12, 10:10, 12:8, and 16:4). There was no assortative mating and sexual isolation between the strains, based on 2 x 2 contingency chi2 analysis and isolation estimate values. One-sided rare male mating advantages were found in two experiments, one for ca males and the other for wild-type males (TIR). However, no advantage was found for rare males in the experiment with MY and y flies. Mating disadvantages for rare females were found for sex-linked mutants (y and ct). Two different observational methods (removal or direct observation of mating pairs) imparted no overall significant effects on the outcome of the frequency-dependent mating tests

Behavioral genetics of Drosophila ananassae

Drosophila ananassae has a unique status among Drosophila species because of certain peculiarities in its genetic behavior. The most unusual feature of this species is its relatively high frequency of spontaneous male recombination. The results of studies on non-sexual behavior, such as phototactic responses, eclosion rhythm, and preferences for oviposition and pupation sites, lead us to suggest that this behavior is under polygenic control, with a substantial amount of additive genetic variation. Sexual isolation has been reported in D. ananassae with the degree of such isolation being stronger in isofemale lines than in natural populations. The significant variations seen in the mating propensity of several isofemale strains, inversion karyotypes and wild type strains, the diminishing effects of certain mutations on the sexual activity of males, and the positive responses to selection for high and low mating propensity point to a genetic control of sexual behavior in D. ananassae. Males contribute more to variation and thus are more subject to intrasexual selection than females. There is a positive correlation between sternopleural bristle number, mating propensity and fertility in D. ananassae. This correlation between morphometric traits and mating success suggests that larger flies are more successful in mating than smaller ones. There is also evidence for adaptive plasticity and a trade-off between longevity and productivity in D. ananassae. Rare, specific courtship song parameters that provide males with a mating advantage have also been reported in different geographic strains of D. ananassae. The remating behavior of males and females, sperm displacement, and the bi-directional selection for female remating speed indicate that post-mating behavior in this species may also be under genetic control. The occurrence of size assortative mating further indicates that there is size-dependent sexual selection in D. ananassae

No evidence for minority male mating advantage in wild type strains of Drosophila ananassae tested in multiple-choice experiments

Minority male mating advantage was tested in wild type strains of Drosophila ananassae through multiple-choice experiments. Mating success of two types of flies present in five different ratios was scored by direct observation in an Elens-Wattiaux mating chamber. We found no evidence for minority male mating advantage in wild type strains of D. ananassae. The relative mating success of two types of females was also compared in the multiple-choice experiments at different ratios; there was no evidence for a rare female effect. Further, there was similarity in the results of experiments employing different methods. The total number of homogamic and heterogamic matings was obtained by combining the data (all five ratios) from each experiment. Homogamic matings were significantly more frequent than heterogamic ones, which demonstrates preferential mating between males and females of the same strain; this was also supported by a lower isolation estimate. There was also a significant difference in the degree of mating preference between the two strains

Drosophila bipectinata species complex.

The Drosophila bipectinata species complex belongs to the ananassae subgroup of the melanogaster species group (Genus Drosophila, Subgenus Sophophora). The members of the complex are: D. bipectinata, D. parabipectinata, D. malerkotliana, and D. pseudoananassae. Of the four species, D. bipectinata is most widely distributed. Females are indistinguishable, but males are distinguishable by their sex-comb teeth number and pattern and by abdominal colouration. Chromosomal inversions have been detected in these species. In natural populations of D. bipectinata the frequency of inversions and the level of inversion heterozygosity were found to be very low but in laboratory stocks inversions persisted for more than 20 generations due to heterotic buffering. On an average 9.3 fixed interspecific inversions separate each species pair. Non-random association between linked inversions indicated epistatic interaction in natural populations of D. bipectinata. Certain spontaneous mutations were detected and mapped for the first time in D. bipectinata. Low frequency of spontaneous male recombination has also been reported in D. bipectinata. Sexual isolation study in the complex indicated strong preference for homogamic mating. The results also indicated incomplete sexual isolation among different members of this complex. The isolation estimate among six different geographic populations of D. bipectinata ranged from 0.54 - 0.92 representing positive assortative mating which is an evidence for incipient sexual isolation. Incipient sexual isolation was also found within D. malerkotliana and D. parabipectinata . Chromosomal, hybridization and allozyme studies revealed close phylogenetic relationship among the four species of the bipectinata complex. Mitochondrial DNA study revealed net nucleotide difference (delta) between these species to be very small (0.0002 +/- 0.0008) reflecting closeness. Evidence for genetic control of sexual activity and existence of sexual selection in D. bipectinata has been shown on the basis of mating propensity tests carried out on geographic strains, their hybrids and diallel crosses. Significant variation was found among the strains tested with respect to courtship time, duration of copulation and fertility. A positive correlation between duration of copulation and fertility in D. bipectinata was found. Evidence for rare-male mating advantage was also found in D. bipectinata. A positive response to selection for high and low mating activity provided evidence for polygenic control of this phenomenon in D. bipectinata. Bilateral outgrowths on thorax, a unique phenotype, reported for the first time in D. bipectinata has been shown to affect mate recognition ability. Results of the study on pupation site preference (larval behaviour) and oviposition site preference (non-sexual behaviour) have also been included.

Patterns of inversion polymorphism in three species of the Drosophila melanogaster species group.

In Drosophila, chromosomal polymorphism due to paracentric inversions is very common and constitutes an adaptive character. The degree of chromosomal variability varies in different species and also in different populations of the same species. Chromosomal polymorphism in Indian natural populations of three species, D. melaonogaster, D. ananassae and D. bipectinata which belong to the melanogaster species group has been studied and the quantitative data on frequency of inversions have been reported. Behaviour of chromosome inversions has also been studied in laboratory conditions. The present review summarises the work done on inversion polymorphism in Indian populations of three species which clearly demonstrates that these three species vary in their patterns of inversion polymorphism and have evolved different mechanisms for adjustment to their environments although they belong to the same species group.

Choice of oviposition site between surface of the medium and paper in four Indian species of Drosophila.

Choice of oviposition site between surface of the medium and paper positioned vertically on the medium by females was studied in four species of Drosophila: D. ananassae, D. bipectinata, D. malerkotliana, and D. biarmipes. Several geographic strains of these species were used. Females of all the four species laid greater proportions of eggs on the surface of medium as compared to surface of the paper. Thus all the four species tested show preference for oviposition on surface of medium. When the comparison is made for oviposition on paper among the four species, D. ananassae lays more eggs on the surface of paper as compared to other three species.

Mating activity and fitness of a few wild type strains of Drosophila ananassae.

Courtship time, duration of copulation and fertility were tested in six wild type strains of D. ananassae originating from different geographical localities. The results indicate that there is significant variation among the strains tested with respect to courtship time, duration of copulation and fertility. The strains showing a longer duration of copulation produce more progeny. These findings suggest that there is a positive correlation between duration of copulation and fertility in D. ananassae.

Population genetics of inversion polymorphism in Drosophila ananassae.

Drosophila ananassae, although a cosmopolitan and domestic species, is largely circumtropical in distribution. It occupies unique status in the whole of genus Drosophila due to certain peculiarities in its genetical behaviour. The most unusual feature of this species is spontaneous male recombination in appreciable frequency. This species is of common occurrence in India. Population genetics of inversion polymorphism has been extensively studied in Indian D. ananassae in our laboratory. The main findings are: (i) Three cosmopolitan inversions namely AL in 2L, DE in 3L and ET in 3R are of frequent occurrence in Indian populations and have become coextensive with the species. (ii) Quantitative data on the frequency of three cosmopolitan inversions in 29 natural populations of D. ananassae suggest that there is a considerable degree of genetic divergence at the level of inversion polymorphism. In general, the populations from south India show more differentiation than those from the north. (iii) These three cosmopolitan inversions exhibit heterosis. Interracial hybridization does not lead to breakdown of heterosis, which suggests that evidence for coadaptation is lacking in geographic populations of D. ananassae. Heterosis appears to be simple luxuriance rather than populational heterosis (coadaptation). (iv) Data on intra- and interchromosomal associations in natural and laboratory populations of D. ananassae show that interchromosomal associations occur randomly indicating no interchromosomal interactions but two inversions of the third chromosome often show strong linkage disequilibria in laboratory populations which is due to epistatic interaction and suppression of crossing over. The role of genetic drift causing linkage disequilibria in isofemale strains of D. ananassae has also been suggested. (v) Mating ability of homo- and hetero-karyotypes due to subterminal (2L) inversion derived from natural populations of D. ananassae in which the frequency of different chromosome arrangements were known, was tested and the results indicate that the chromosome occurring in high frequency is associated with higher mating activity in all the populations analysed and heterokaryotypic males are superior in mating propensity to the corresponding homokaryotypes, indicating the existence of heterosis associated with the AL inversion with respect to male mating activity. Thus inversion polymorphism in D. ananassae may have a partial behavioural basis as has been demonstrated in other species of Drosophila.

Effect of temperature on oviposition in four species of the melanogaster group of Drosophila

Experiments were conducted to test the effect of temperature on oviposition in four species of the melanogaster group of Drosophila: D. ananassae, D. bipectinata, D. malerkotliana and D. biarmipes. In each species, two wild strains were used and eggs laid by females at three different temperatures (19 degrees C, 24 degrees C and 30 degrees C) were counted for four days at 24 h interval. It is evident from the results that females of D. ananassae, D. bipectinata, D. malerkotliana and D. biarmipes lay low number of eggs at low temperature (19 degrees C). Thus oviposition in these four species of Drosophila is significantly reduced at low temperature.

Location and mapping of an autosomal recessive mutation causing unique phenotypic change in Drosophila bipectinata.

In Drosophila bipectinata, flies with bilateral outgrowths on thorax were detected in sepia eye colour mutant stock. Such thoracic outgrowths have not been reported earlier in any species of Drosophila and appear to be unique phenotypic change in D. bipectinata caused due to autosomal recessive mutation. By using a double recessive mutant stock (se og) and a wild type stock, crosses were made and on the basis of recombination data of F1 females, the og mutation was mapped on the second chromosome of D.bipectinata. Further, D. bipectinata exhibits spontaneous male recombination in low frequency.

Non-traumatic coma--profile and prognosis.

Two hundred consecutive patients of non-traumatic coma, were investigated to establish its aetiology. Neurologic profile of these patients included assessment of Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score and evaluation of brainstem reflexes. 102 patients died and only 54 patients could make good recovery. Cerebrovascular diseases (33%), CNS infections (21%), and hepatic encephalopathy (18%) were the frequent causes of non-traumatic coma, with the first two carrying relatively poor prognosis. Poor outcome was also associated with low GCS score and absence of brainstem reflexes specially absent pupillary, oculocephalic and oculovestibular responses and decerebrate posture.

Mode of mating preference and the direction of evolution in Drosophila.

Sexual (or ethological) isolation constitutes the most important class among different means of reproductive isolation in animal species. The phenomenon of sexual isolation has been extensively studied in the genus Drosophila. The degree of sexual isolation and the mode of mating preference are often used to indicate the phylogenetic relationship between the species and also their evolutionary sequence. Asymmetrical or one-sided mating preference observed in a number of Drosophila species groups has been used to elucidate the direction of evolution. Based on the mode of mating preference, different models which are even opposite to each other have been proposed by different investigators to predict the direction of evolution among closely related species. One-sided mating preference observed among the geographical strains of the same species has also been used to predict the direction of evolution. This review documents several cases of asymmetrical mating preference (both inter- and intraspecific) including the interesting cases reported by Indian workers and in the light of these observations of asymmetry in mating preference, the general applicability of different models is discussed.

Interaction between selection and genetic drift in laboratory populations of Drosophila bipectinata.

To study the effect of selection and random genetic drift in laboratory populations of D. bipectinata, cut wing mutant and wild type stocks were crossed in several bottles. All the lines were maintained for several generations and in each generation the number of wild type and mutant flies was scored. Based on the number of two types of males, the frequency of cut gene and its normal allele was calculated for different bottles since ct is a sex-linked mutation and males are hemizygous. Interestingly, the cut gene was quickly eliminated in all the populations which is due to selection affecting fitness of two types of flies. However, there was considerable fluctuation in gene frequency among different populations and also there was increase in the cut gene frequency in certain generations as compared to previous generation which is caused due to effect of genetic drift which operates in small populations.