Neuromorphic Sentiment Analysis Using Spiking Neural Networks.

Over the past decade, the artificial neural networks domain has seen a considerable embracement of deep neural networks among many applications. However, deep neural networks are typically computationally complex and consume high power, hindering their applicability for resource-constrained applications, such as self-driving vehicles, drones, and robotics. Spiking neural networks, often employed to bridge the gap between machine learning and neuroscience fields, are considered a promising solution for resource-constrained applications. Since deploying spiking neural networks on traditional von-Newman architectures requires significant processing time and high power, typically, neuromorphic hardware is created to execute spiking neural networks. The objective of neuromorphic devices is to mimic the distinctive functionalities of the human brain in terms of energy efficiency, computational power, and robust learning. Furthermore, natural language processing, a machine learning technique, has been widely utilized to aid machines in comprehending human language. However, natural language processing techniques cannot also be deployed efficiently on traditional computing platforms. In this research work, we strive to enhance the natural language processing traits/abilities by harnessing and integrating the SNNs traits, as well as deploying the integrated solution on neuromorphic hardware, efficiently and effectively. To facilitate this endeavor, we propose a novel, unique, and efficient sentiment analysis model created using a large-scale SNN model on SpiNNaker neuromorphic hardware that responds to user inputs. SpiNNaker neuromorphic hardware typically can simulate large spiking neural networks in real time and consumes low power. We initially create an artificial neural networks model, and then train the model using an Internet Movie Database (IMDB) dataset. Next, the pre-trained artificial neural networks model is converted into our proposed spiking neural networks model, called a spiking sentiment analysis (SSA) model. Our SSA model using SpiNNaker, called SSA-SpiNNaker, is created in such a way to respond to user inputs with a positive or negative response. Our proposed SSA-SpiNNaker model achieves 100% accuracy and only consumes 3970 Joules of energy, while processing around 10,000 words and predicting a positive/negative review. Our experimental results and analysis demonstrate that by leveraging the parallel and distributed capabilities of SpiNNaker, our proposed SSA-SpiNNaker model achieves better performance compared to artificial neural networks models. Our investigation into existing works revealed that no similar models exist in the published literature, demonstrating the uniqueness of our proposed model. Our proposed work would offer a synergy between SNNs and NLP within the neuromorphic computing domain, in order to address many challenges in this domain, including computational complexity and power consumption. Our proposed model would not only enhance the capabilities of sentiment analysis but also contribute to the advancement of brain-inspired computing. Our proposed model could be utilized in other resource-constrained and low-power applications, such as robotics, autonomous, and smart systems.

A note on the insecticide susceptibility status of secondary malaria vector An. annularis in Jharkhand state of India.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: An. annularis van der Wulp (1884) is the secondary malaria vector of importance in India. In Jharkhand state it is present in almost all the districts abundantly and transmits malaria. The development of resistance to Dichlorodipheny ltrichloroethane (DDT) in An. annularis was reported from various parts of India. The main objective of this study was to generate information on insecticide susceptibility status of An. annularis to DDT, malathion, deltamethrin and permethrin in different districts of Jharkhand state. Methods; Adult An. annularis female mosquitoes were collected form villages of six tribal districts Simdega (Kurdeg and Simdega CHC), Khunti (Murhu and Khunti CHCs), Gumla (Bharno and Gumla CHCs), West Singhbhum (Chaibasa and Bada Jamda CHCs), Godda (Poraiyahat and Sunderpahari (CHCs) and Sahibganj (Borio and Rajmahal CHCs). Insecticide susceptibility status was determined by using WHO tube test method against prescribed discriminatory dosages of insecticides, DDT - 4.0%, malathion - 5.0%, deltamethrin - 0.05% and permethrin - 0.75%. RESULTS: An. annularis was reported resistant to DDT in six districts, possible resistant to malathion in districts Gumla, Khuntiand Sahibganj and susceptible to deltamehrin (98% to100% mortality) and permethrin (100% mortality). INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: An. annularis, the secondary vector species is associated with the transmission of malaria reported resistant to DDT and susceptible to pyrerthroids deltamethrin and permethrin. In view of large-scale distribution of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) in all the districts, the response to synthetic pyrethroid needs to be periodically monitored to assess the effectiveness.

Insecticide susceptibility status of malaria vectors, Anopheles culicifacies, Anopheles fluviatilis and Anopheles minimus in the tribal districts of Jharkhand state of India.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Insecticide resistance in malaria vectors has been a major challenge to vector control programs and updated information to the commonly used insecticides is essential for planning appropriate vector control measures. Anopheles culicifacies and An. fluviatilis are the two main vectors prevalent in Jharkhand state of India and role of An. minimus is contemplated in the transmission of malaria in this state. All the districts in the state are predominantly inhabited by the tribal population and are endemic for malaria. A study was undertaken in 12 districts of Jharkhand state to determine the insecticide susceptibility status of the 3 prevalent primary vector species, An. culicifacies, An. fluviatilis, and An. minimus. METHODS: Wild-caught adult female An. culicifacies, An. fluviatilis, and An. minimus, mosquitoes were collected from stratified ecotypes from different localities of 12 tribal districts of Jharkhand state during 2018 and 2019. Susceptibility tube tests were conducted following the WHO method using test kits. Mosquitoes were exposed to WHO impregnated papers with the prescribed discriminatory dosages of DDT - 4%, malathion - 5%, deltamethrin - 0.05%, permethrin - 0.75%, cyfluthrin - 0.15% and lambda cyhalothrin - 0.05%. RESULTS: Results indicated that An. culicifacies has developed multiple insecticide resistance in all the 12 districts of Jharkhand state. An. fluviatilis was reported resistant for the first time to DDT in all the districts but was susceptible to malathion, deltamethrin, and permethrin whereas in one district it showed possible resistance to malathion. An. minimus was studied in Noamundi CHC of West Singhbhum district, showed possible resistance against DDT but was susceptible to malathion, deltamethrin, and permethrin. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: The development of multiple insecticide resistance in An. culicifacies including to pyrethroids, has been a concern for malaria control programmes for effective vector management but a report of resistance to DDT for the first time in An. fluviatlis in all the districts in the state is alarming, An. minimus was found in possible resistance category to DDT in one district and both the species were reported susceptible to malathion, deltamethrin, and permethrin. The result of the present study indicates a need for regular monitoring to assess the insecticide susceptibility to formulate effective vector control measures and resistance management.

Durability, household usage and washing pattern of DuraNet© and Interceptor® long-lasting insecticidal nets in long-term field trials in India.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Universal coverage of population with long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) living in endemic areas inhabited by ethnic tribal communities or in difficult to reach areas was found effective for disease control where other interventions such as indoor residual spraying have limited success because of operational issues. Evaluation of different LLINs with varied insecticides and fabrics are being evaluated to meet the demand of new products. This study was undertaken on two brands of LLINs, DuraNet© and Interceptor® that varied in fabric and manufacturing technologies to assess the usability in field conditions for atleast three years. METHODS: In large-scale field trials DuraNet©, alpha cypermethrin incorporated polyethylene net, was evaluated in Odisha state while, Interceptor® net, alpha cypermethrin coated polyester net was evaluated in Chhattisgarh and Gujarat states for a period of three years following WHO guidelines. Durability, usage pattern and washing behavior were monitored through periodic surveys and physical examination of nets. RESULTS: Survivorship of both the nets was 84-100% and every night usage rate was >62% in all seasons. Washing frequency was largely within the prescribed limits. The proportion of DuraNet© with holes was 26.7% in year one 74% in year three. In Gujarat, proportion of Interceptor® nets with holes at six months was 33.3% increased to 87% in year three and in Chhattisgarh, 6.7% after six months to 93.3% after three years of use respectively. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Both the nets revealed a useful life of three years under the field condition.

Morpho-physiological and molecular characterization of drought tolerance traits in Gossypium hirsutum genotypes under drought stress.

Drought stress is one of the major abiotic stresses affecting lint yield and fibre quality in cotton. With increase in population, degrading natural resources and frequent drought occurrences, development of high yielding, drought tolerant cotton cultivars is critical for sustainable cotton production across countries. Six Gossypium hirsutum genotypes identified for drought tolerance, wider adaptability and better fibre quality traits were characterized for various morpho-physiological and biochemical characters and their molecular basis was investigated under drought stress. Under drought conditions, genotypes revealed statistically significant differences for all the morpho-physiological and biochemical traits. The interaction (genotype × treatment) effects were highly significant for root length, excised leaf water loss and cell membrane thermostability indicating differential interaction of genotypes under control and stress conditions. Correlation studies revealed that under drought stress, relative water content had significant positive correlation with root length and root-to-shoot ratio while it had significant negative correlation with excised leaf water loss, epicuticular wax, proline, potassium and total soluble sugar content. Analysis of expression of fourteen drought stress related genes under water stress indicated that both ABA dependent and ABA independent mechanisms of drought tolerance might be operating differentially in the studied genotypes. IC325280 and LRA5166 exhibited ABA mediated expression of stress responsive genes and traits. Molecular basis of drought tolerance in IC357406, Suraj, IC259637 and CNH 28I genotypes could be attributed to ABA independent pathway. Based on physiological phenotyping, the genotypes IC325280 and IC357406 were identified to possess better root traits and LRA5166 was found to have enhanced cellular level tolerance. Variety Suraj exhibited good osmotic adjustment and better root traits to withstand water stress. The identified drought component trait(s) in specific genotypes would pave way for their pyramiding through marker assisted cotton breeding.

Use of steroids for abdominal tuberculosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The role of adjunctive steroids in abdominal tuberculosis is unclear. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate effect of adjunctive use of steroids for abdominal tuberculosis in reducing/preventing complications. METHODS: We searched electronic databases (Medline, Embase, CENTRAL, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL) from inception to 25th June 2018 using the terms "abdominal tuberculosis" OR "intestinal tuberculosis" OR "peritoneal tuberculosis" OR "tuberculous peritonitis" AND steroids OR methylprednisolone OR prednisolone. Bibliography of potential articles was also searched. We included studies comparing adjunctive steroids to antitubercular therapy (ATT) alone. We excluded non-English articles, case reports, reviews and unrelated papers. The primary outcome was a comprehensive clinical outcome including need for surgery or the presence of symptomatic stricture (abdominal pain or intestinal obstruction). Quality assessment of included studies was done using ROBINS-I tool. Random-effects model was used to calculate the summary effect for all the outcomes. RESULTS: Of total 633 records, three studies on peritoneal tuberculosis were included in meta-analysis. These papers were of poor quality (one quasi-randomised study and two retrospective cohort studies). Meta-analyses showed adjunctive steroids, with ATT is more effective than ATT alone in tuberculous peritonitis patients for the prevention of composite end point (RR 0.15 [0.04, 0.62], p = 0.008), symptomatic stricture(RR 0.15 [0.04-0.62] p = 0.008) and intestinal obstruction (RR 0.18 [0.03-0.99] p = 0.05). CONCLUSION: The data on use of steroids for abdominal tuberculosis are limited to peritoneal tuberculosis. Although steroids seem to have some benefit in patients of tubercular peritonitis, the poor quality of studies limits the generalisability of the findings. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42016047347.

Small-scale (Phase II) evaluation of the efficacy and residual activity of SumiShield® 50 WG (clothianidin 50%, w/w) for indoor residual spraying in comparison to deltamethrin, bendiocarb and pirimiphos-methyl for malaria vector control in Karnataka state, India.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: There is an urgent need of introducing new insecticide molecules with novel modes of action to counter the ever growing insecticide-resistance in mosquito vectors. In the present study, a new insecticide molecule, SumiShield 50 WG (clothianidin 50%, w/w) was investigated for its efficacy as an indoor residual spray along with its residual action in comparison to deltamethrin, pirimiphos-methyl and bendiocarb. METHODS: The study area included three villages in Almatti Dam catchment area in Bagalkot district, Karnataka, India. Spraying was done using Hudson sprayers with the following dosages-Clothianidin, 300 mg AI/m2; deltamethrin, 25 mg AI/m2; bendiocarb, 400 mg AI/m2; and pirimiphos-methyl, 1 g AI/m2. Cone bioassays were conducted on cement and mud plastered surfaces at fortnightly intervals to assess the bioefficacy and residual activity. Mosquito densities in the sprayed houses were recorded at regular intervals for assessment of the insecticidal efficacy. Filter paper samples collected from the sprayed houses were analyzed for insecticide content sprayed on different wall surfaces at the Walloon Agricultural Research Institute, Gembloux, Belgium. RESULTS: Chemical content analysis of filter paper samples revealed that the applied to target ratios were in the acceptable range (1 + 0.5) for all the treatment types. Duration of persistence of effectiveness of bendiocarb (≥80% mortality in cone bioassays) was 19 to 21 wk on cement plastered surfaces and 15 to 19 wk on mud plastered surfaces. Duration of persistence of effectiveness of deltamethrin was 17 to 21 wk on both mud and cement plastered surfaces and that of pirimiphos-methyl was 15 to 19 wk. For SumiShield, it was 17 to 25 wk on both types of surfaces, indicating slow action of SumiShield. The densities of Anopheles culicifacies were lower in bendiocarb sprayed houses throughout the observation period, followed by pirimiphos methyl, deltamethrin and clothianidin sprayed houses. In case of other mosquitoes also, similar trend was observed. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Considering the persistence of effectiveness of SumiShield on sprayed surfaces, effectiveness in reducing the density of mosquitoes, operational feasibility, safety and community acceptance, the formulation of clothianidin is a better option for IRS for the control of insecticide-resistant mosquito vectors.

Epilepsy surgery for focal cortical dysplasia: Seizure and quality of life (QOLIE-89) outcomes.

AIM: Surgery for drug resistant epilepsy (DRE) with focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) often requires multiple non-invasive as well as invasive pre-surgical evaluations and innovative surgical strategies. There is limited data regarding surgical management of people with FCD as the underlying substrate for DRE among the low and middle-income countries (LAMIC) including India. METHODOLOGY: The presurgical evaluation, surgical strategy and outcome of 52 people who underwent resective surgery for DRE with FCD between January 2008 and December 2016 were analyzed. The 2011 classification proposed by Blumcke et al., was used for histo-pathological categorization. The Engel classification was used for defining the seizure outcome. The surgical outcome was correlated with the preoperative clinical presentation, video encephalogram (VEEG) recording, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), invasive monitoring, surgical findings as well as histopathology and the quality of life in epilepsy (QOLIE)- 89 scores. RESULTS: Fifty-two patients underwent resective surgery for FCD (mean age at onset of seizure: 7.94 ± 6.23 years; duration of seizures prior to surgery: 12.95 ± 9.56 years; and, age at surgery: 20.88 ± 12.51 years). The following regional distribution was found; temporal-24 (language-13), frontal-15 (motor cortex- 5), parietal-5 (sensory cortex-4), occipital-1 and multilobar-7. Forty-seven percent of the cases had FCD in the right hemisphere and 53% had FCD in the left hemisphere. Invasive monitoring was performed for identification of the epileptogenic zone (EZ) as well as eloquent cortex in 7 cases and an intra-operative electro-corticography (ECoG) was used in 32 cases. Histopathology revealed the following distribution; FCD IA-4, IB- 1, IC-5, IIA-8, IIB-18, IIIA-13, IIIB -1, IIIC-1 and IIID-1. After a median follow up of 3.7 years after surgery, 84% of patients had Engel's Ia outcome. QOLIE-89 scores improved from 38.33 ± 4.7 (31.14-49.03) before surgery to 75.21 ± 8.44 (56.49-90.49) after surgery (P < 0.001). The younger age of the patient (<20 years) at surgery (P = 0.013), a lower pre-operative score (<9) on seizure severity scale (P = 0.012), focal discharges without propagation on ictal VEEG (P < 0.001), absence of acute post-operative seizures (P < 0.001) and Type II FCD (P = 0.045) were the significant predictors for a favorable seizure outcome. CONCLUSION: Surgical management of people with DRE and FCD is possible in countries with limited resources. Meticulous pre-surgical evaluation to localize the epileptogenic zone and complete resection of the focus and lesion can lead to the cure or control of epilepsy; and, improvement in the quality of life was observed along with seizure-free outcome.

Severe Adult-Onset Still's Disease Mimicking Systemic Infection.

Adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) is an uncommon entity that can mimic infection. Patients present with fever for more than 1-week, joint pain, and rash. We report a case of 22-year-old male who presented with fever, sore throat, and abdominal pain. During hospitalization, he had multiple episodes of tachycardia and tachypnea requiring mechanical ventilation. The patient had elevated white blood cell count, procalcitonin, and troponin. He was extensively investigated and diagnosed as AOSD. He responded to steroids and was discharged on day 20.

Pre-emptive caudal epidural analgesia with ropivacaine for lumbosacral spine surgery: A randomized case control study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Pre-emptive analgesia using caudal epidural technique is an underutilized technique in lumbosacral spine surgery patients. We intend to study if pre-emptive analgesia with a single caudal epidural injection of ropivacaine is an effective method of postoperative analgesia by assessing the quality and duration of pain relief and intraoperative opioid requirement. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighty patients undergoing lumbosacral spine surgeries by the posterior approach were randomized to ropivacaine (R) group (n = 40) and saline (S) group (n = 40). Patients in R group received caudal epidural injection of 20 ml of 0.2% ropivacaine for surgeries at or below L5 lumbar spine and 25 ml of 0.2% ropivacaine for surgeries between L2 and L5 lumbar spine. Patients in S group received similar amounts of normal saline. Patients were monitored in the immediate postoperative period and at 4, 8, 12, and 24 hours for pain using visual analogue scale (VAS) scale. Time to rescue analgesia and intraoperative fentanyl requirement were noted. RESULTS: The demographics, duration of anesthesia, and hemodynamic variables were comparable in both groups. The mean intraoperative fentanyl requirement (P = 0.001) and mean VAS scores were significantly lower in the R group in the immediate postoperative period, (P < 0.001), 4 hours (P < 0.001), 8 hours (P = 0.009), 12 hours (P = 0.007), and 24 hours (P = 0.046) postoperatively. The mean time to rescue analgesia was significantly longer in the R group (P < 0.001) compared to S group. No hemodynamic or neurological side-effects were observed in the groups. CONCLUSION: Pre-emptive analgesia with caudal epidural injection of ropivacaine is a safe and effective method of postoperative analgesia.

Burden of asymptomatic malaria among a tribal population in a forested village of central India: a hidden challenge for malaria control in India.

OBJECTIVE: Chhattisgarh in India is a malaria-endemic state with seven southern districts that contributes approximately 50-60% of the reported malaria cases in the state every year. The problem is further complicated due to asymptomatic malaria cases which are largely responsible for persistent transmission. This study was undertaken in one of the forested villages of the Keshkal subdistrict in Kondagaon district to ascertain the proportion of the population harbouring subclinical malarial infections. STUDY DESIGN: Community-based cross-sectional study. METHODS: Mass blood surveys were undertaken of the entire population of the village in the post-monsoon seasons of 2013 and 2014. Fingerprick blood smears were prepared from individuals of all ages to detect malaria infections in their blood. Individuals with fever at the time of the survey were tested with rapid diagnostic tests, and parasitaemia in thick blood smears was confirmed by microscopy. Malaria-positive cases were treated with anti-malarials in accordance with the national drug policy. RESULTS: Peripheral blood smears of 134 and 159 individuals, including children, were screened for malaria infection in 2013 and 2014, respectively. Overall, the malaria slide positivity rates were 27.6% and 27.7% in 2013 and 2014, respectively, and the prevalence rates of asymptomatic malaria were 20% and 22.8%. This study showed that, for two consecutive years, the prevalence of asymptomatic malaria infection was significantly higher among children aged ≤14 years (34.4% and 34.1% for 2013 and 2014, respectively) compared with adults (15.2% and 18.2% for 2013 and 2014, respectively; P = 0.023 and 0.04, respectively). CONCLUSION: The number of asymptomatic malaria cases, especially Plasmodium falciparum, is significant, reinforcing the underlying challenge facing the malaria elimination programme in India.

Reduced small world brain connectivity in probands with a family history of epilepsy.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The role of inheritance in ascertaining susceptibility to epilepsy is well established, although the pathogenetic mechanisms are still not very clear. Interviewing for a positive family history is a popular epidemiological tool in the understanding of this susceptibility. Our aim was to visualize and localize network abnormalities that could be associated with a positive family history in a group of patients with hot water epilepsy (HWE) using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI). METHODS: Graph theory analysis of rsfMRI (clustering coefficient γ; path length λ; small worldness σ) in probands with a positive family history of epilepsy (FHE+, 25) were compared with probands without FHE (FHE-, 33). Whether a closer biological relationship was associated with a higher likelihood of network abnormalities was also ascertained. RESULTS: A positive family history of epilepsy had decreased γ, increased λ and decreased σ in bilateral temporofrontal regions compared to FHE- (false discovery rate corrected P ≤ 0.0062). These changes were more pronounced in probands having first degree relatives and siblings with epilepsy. Probands with multiple types of epilepsy in the family showed decreased σ in comparison to only HWE in the family. CONCLUSION: Graph theory analysis of the rsfMRI can be used to understand the neurobiology of diseases like genetic susceptibility in HWE. Reduced small worldness, proportional to the degree of relationship, is consistent with the current understanding that disease severity is higher in closer biological relations.

University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test Abnormalities in Parkinson's Disease.

BACKGROUND: Olfactory dysfunction is a predominant non - motor symptom in patients with Parkinson's disease. Indian studies on olfactory loss using standardized kits are lacking. OBJECTIVE: 1) To assess the olfactory impairment in patients with Parkinson's disease 2) To verify the applicability of UPSIT to Indian subjects 3) To assess the correlation between olfactory dysfunction and duration, stage and severity of the illness. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with Parkinson's disease attending Neurology outpatient and inpatient departments were taken for the study. The details of demographic data and illness were collected. Patients with other risk factors for hyposmia were excluded from the study. Detailed neurological examination and smell test were done using University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT) kit. 40 healthy individuals without any pre-morbid illness or risk factors for hyposmia were studied for the applicability of the British version of UPSIT to the Indian population, 20 of whom were age and sex matched with the Parkinson's disease patients. Statistical analysis was done using Wilcoxon matched-pair signed-ranks test (WSRT)) and Pearson correlation test. RESULTS: Parkinson's disease patients had a mean age 58.2 years and a mean duration of illness of 5.5 years. Parkinson's disease patients had a low score on UPSIT compared to controls which was statistically significant (p 0.000) and the loss spanned a variety of odorants in UPSIT. There was no correlation with the age, staging or duration of the illness. CONCLUSIONS: Olfactory loss is a significant non motor symptom in Parkinson's disease patients and is probably not related to the disease duration, stage or severity of motor symptoms.

Chlorfenapyr: irritant effect compared to other insecticides and its intrinsic toxicity in multiple-insecticide-susceptible and -resistant Anopheles stephensi (Diptera: Culicidae).

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: For effective management of vector resistance there is a need for new insecticide molecules with novel modes of action. For desired toxic effect of an insecticide, apart from other behavioural aspects, toxicity and chemical nature of the molecule are important that may cause irritability in the mosquito to the insecticide affecting the uptake. In this study, a pyrrole class insecticide, chlorfenapyr (a late acting insecticide) was tested for its irritability against multiple-insecticide-susceptible and -resistant strains of Anopheles stephensi Liston 1901 (Diptera: Culicidae). METHODS: Studies were conducted to assess the irritability due to chlorfenapyr, DDT, malathion, deltamethrin and permethrin and intrinsic toxicity of chlorfenapyr in multiple-insecticide-susceptible and -resistant laboratory strains of An. stephensi following standard WHO methods. RESULTS: Chlorfenapyr molecule has shown least irritant effect against susceptible and resistant strains among all the insecticides tested allowing more landing time to the vector species on the impregnated surfaces to pick-up lethal dose. CONCLUSION: Chlorfenapyr could be an ideal insecticide for management of multiple-insecticide-resistance including pyrethroids.

Crystal structure of (E)-N-phenyl-N'-[1-(thio-phen-2-yl)ethyl-idene]formo-hydrazide.

In the title compound, C13H12N2OS, the planes of the thio-phene and phenyl rings are nearly perpendicular to each other, making a dihedral angle of 86.42 (12)°. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked by C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming a helical chain along the b-axis direction.

2-(3,4-Di-meth-oxy-phen-yl)-4-(thio-phen-2-yl)-2,3-di-hydro-1,5-benzo-thia-zepine.

In the title compound, C21H19NO2S2, the seven-membered thia-zepine ring adopts a slightly distorted twist boat conformation. The dihedral angle between the benzene rings is 67.4 (2)°. The mean plane of the thio-phene ring is twisted by 59.3 (2) and 87.7 (2)° from the mean planes of the benezene rings. In the crystal, inversion dimers linked by pairs of C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds generate R 2 (2)(20) loops.

4-(Thio-phen-2-yl)-2-[4-(tri-fluoro-meth-yl)phen-yl]-2,3-di-hydro-1,5-benzo-thia-zepine.

In the title compound, C20H14F3NS2, the seven-membered thia-zepine ring adopts a slightly distorted twist-boat conformation. The mean plane of the five-membered thio-phene ring fused to the thia-zepine ring is twisted by 32.3 (3) and 55.6 (4)° from the benzene and phenyl rings, respectively. In the crystal, inversion dimers linked by pairs of weak C-H⋯N inter-actions are observed.

Malaria Vector Bionomics: Countrywide Surveillance Study on Implications for Malaria Elimination in India.

BACKGROUND: The biological characteristics of mosquito vectors vary, impacting their response to control measures. Thus, having up-to-date information on vector bionomics is essential to maintain the effectiveness of existing control strategies and tools, particularly as India aims for malaria elimination by 2030. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess the proportions of vector species resting indoors and outdoors, determine their preference for host biting/feeding, identify transmission sites, and evaluate the susceptibility of vectors to insecticides used in public health programs. METHODS: Mosquito collections were conducted in 13 districts across 8 Indian states from 2017 to 2020 using various methods to estimate their densities. Following morphological identification in the field, sibling species of Anopheles mosquitoes were identified molecularly using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-specific alleles. Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax infections in the vectors were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and PCR assays. In addition, we assessed the insecticide susceptibility status of primary malaria vectors following the World Health Organization (WHO) protocol. RESULTS: Anopheles culicifacies, a primary malaria vector, was collected (with a man-hour density ranging from 3.1 to 15.9) from all states of India except those in the northeastern region. Anopheles fluviatilis, another primary vector, was collected from the states of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Odisha. In Haryana and Karnataka, An. culicifacies sibling species A predominated, whereas species C and E were predominant in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. An. culicifacies displayed mainly endophilic behavior across all states, except in Madhya Pradesh, where the proportion of semigravid and gravid mosquitoes was nearly half of that of unfed mosquitoes. The human blood index of An. culicifacies ranged from 0.001 to 0.220 across all study sites. The sporozoite rate of An. culicifacies ranged from 0.06 to 4.24, except in Madhya Pradesh, where none of the vector mosquitoes were found to be infected with the Plasmodium parasite. In the study area, An. culicifacies exhibited resistance to DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane; with <39% mortality). Moreover, it showed resistance to malathion (with mortality rates ranging from 49% to 78%) in all districts except Angul in Odisha and Palwal in Haryana. In addition, resistance to deltamethrin was observed in districts of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Haryana, and Karnataka. CONCLUSIONS: Our study offers vital insights into the prevalence, resting behavior, and sibling species composition of malaria vectors in India. It is evident from our findings that resistance development in An. culicifacies, the primary vector, to synthetic pyrethroids is on the rise in the country. Furthermore, the results of our study suggest a potential change in the resting behavior of An. culicifacies in Madhya Pradesh, although further studies are required to confirm this shift definitively. These findings are essential for the development of effective vector control strategies in India, aligning with the goal of malaria elimination by 2030.

Unraveling determinants of integrated farming systems adoption for sustainable livelihood and dietary diversity.

Introduction: Over the years, smallholder farmers have faced more vulnerability to risk and uncertainty in India due to their dependence on cereal crops. One way to reduce this risk is through diversified agriculture, integrating different practices for efficient resource utilization, and adopting a farming systems approach. An integrated farming system (IFS) is one such technique that provides year-round income from different components of enterprises. However, the decision to adopt IFS may be determined by several characteristics of farmers, which needs to be delineated through impact analysis to harness the benefits of a systems approach. Methods: This study analyzes the economic effects of integrated farming systems and assesses their determinants, as well as the dietary diversity patterns of farmers in two states of southern India, i.e., Kerala and Tamil Nadu. A multistage sampling technique was used to obtain cross-sectional data from 367 farmers randomly chosen from one district in Kerala and two districts in Tamil Nadu. The participants have Crop + Horticulture + Animal husbandry (45.45%) as their major system, whereas non-participants have Crop + Animal husbandry (44.35%) as their predominant system. Coarsened exact matching and logit regression methods were used to evaluate the economic impacts of IFS and its influencing factors. Results: The findings of the study indicate that age, education, livestock holding, access to credit, and plantation area have a positive and significant effect on participation by farmers in the program. The matching results show that adoption of IFS resulted in a significant economic impact, generating an additional gross income of Rs. 36,165 ha-1 and a net income of Rs. 35,852 ha-1 and improving the dietary diversity of farm households by 8.6% as compared to non-adopters. Discussion: This study suggests that IFS is a promising approach for improving farmers' livelihoods, economic gains, and nutritional security. Therefore, the integrated farming systems models need to be upscaled through the convergence of government schemes in other regions of India to support smallholder farmers' farming.

Telemedicine in Follow-up after Spine Surgery: Need of the Hour.

Purpose There is an acute shortage of neurosurgeons and spine surgeons especially in rural areas of low- and middle-income countries including India. Patients of spine surgery need to travel long distances for follow-up at tertiary care hospitals. This study was done to evaluate role and success rate of telemedicine in follow-up after spine surgery based on patients' diagnosis and demographic features and to identify barriers to successful telemedicine consultations. Materials and Methods All patients undergoing spine surgeries including craniovertebral junction (CVJ) surgeries from January 2021 to June 2022 were included in the study. Success rate of telemedicine was calculated using a simple formula: Success rate of telemedicine = successful telemedicine consultations / total number of telemedicine consultation × 100. Success rate was evaluated with respect to demographic features and underlying disease-related factors. Results Eighty-four patients formed the study group in which a total of 181 video teleconsultations were done. Overall success rate of telemedicine was 82.87%. Higher socioeconomic and educational statuses were related to higher success rates of tele-consultations ( p < 0.05). Difficulty in assessing neurological condition using video call in follow-up cases of CVJ and issues related to Internet communication network leading to inability to video call and share image/videos were major causes of failures. Conclusion Telemedicine may prove an effective option for following up patients undergoing spine surgeries except CVJ, which is likely to improve further with improvements in Internet connectivity.