Inequality Dynamics in Urban Manipur, India: A Decomposition Analysis.

The high pace of urbanization in Manipur being confined to the valley regions has attracted much attention to researchers to explore the intra-state dynamics of urban inequality in the state. This study examines the role of spatial factors in determining consumption inequality in the state, especially in urban areas considering the unit-level National Sample Survey data from different rounds. Also, the Regression-Based Inequality Decomposition is estimated to understand the role played by relevant household characteristics in explaining the inequality patterns in urban Manipur. The study observes an increasing trend of Gini coefficient for the overall state despite its slow per-capita growth. While Gini measures of consumption have an overall increasing trend in the economy between 1993 and 2011, and inequality level in rural areas is greater than in urban areas in 2011-2012. This is in contrast to the overall Indian phenomenon. Also, the state per capita income is 43% lower than the all-India average in 2019-2020 at 2011-2012 prices. Within-component (both within-district and within-sector) is the major contributor to overall consumption inequality. The decomposition-based regression analysis shows that most of the estimated regression coefficients are statistically significant. Factors like age, possession of land, and regular salary earner in a household contribute to enhancing the level of total inequality of the average MPCE. This paper suggests that in order to avoid the negative consequences of rising consumption inequality in Manipur, a justiciable land redistribution policy, improving the level of education, and creating employment opportunities are necessary.

Scientific Insights for Drug Development Based on Normal Habitat of Tribal Population of Manipur: An Observational Study Regarding the Implication of "Houttuynia cordata".

The development of new and novel drugs starts following a path of targeting possible candidate drug, elucidation their mechanism of action, animal studies, and finally after the completion of phases I/II and III clinical trials. The fundamental raw materials of drugs may be synthetic substances or plants. Many plants are habitually used in many countries as food or for the remedy of diseases. We found that a tribal population of Bangladesh use an herbal plant regularly and this plant has been shown to have potential positive effect for management of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). The present observation assessed the incidence and fatality of this community inhabitants due to COVID-19. Although a conclusion cannot be reached due to small sample size, this approach and theological concept may be helpful for the development, discovery, and innovation of new drugs for different pathological conditions. How to cite this article: Rahim MA, Singha SK, Foez SA, et al. Scientific Insights for Drug Development Based on Normal Habitat of Tribal Population of Manipur: An Observational Study Regarding the Implication of "Houttuynia cordata". Euroasian J Hepato-Gastroenterol 2023;13(2):142-144.

Characteristics of substance abusing female sex workers and identifying the changing trends in sex work dynamics in Imphal, Northeast India: A mixed-method study.

BACKGROUND: Substance abuse by female sex workers (FSWs) is particularly prevalent in the Northeastern states in India. It is important to understand how the FSWs actually function in different contexts. OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to describe various characteristics of substance abusing FSWs and to explore the changing trends in sex work dynamics in Imphal, Northeast India. METHODS: This community-based, mixed-method, cross-sectional study was conducted among FSWs in Imphal from May 2017 to August 2019. 288 FSWs were recruited using respondent-driven sampling method and were interviewed using a semistructured questionnaire after obtaining written informed consent. Focus group discussions and in-depth interviews were conducted with participants and key informants. RESULTS: The mean ± standard deviation age of the respondents was 30.9 ± 6.1 years; 53.8% were Christian. Majority (98.3%) of the respondents reported sex work as their only source of income; drug use (41.3%) and poverty and debt (35%) were main reasons for involvement in sex work. The most common place of solicitation was lodge/hotel (72.9%); condom was not used during the last sexual act by 2.1%; and heroin was frequently used before having sex by 52.1% and 9.3% used mobile phones for soliciting clients. "Pimps helped in getting customers but want to avoid paying half to them." "It's easy to contact customers on mobile phone. I have 10-12 regular customers contacting through mobile." CONCLUSIONS: Substances abusing FSWs predominantly uses heroin before sexual act and continue to practice unprotected sex. Newer technology like mobile phones was used for soliciting clients.

Genomic Heterogeneity of the Naga and Kuki Tribal Populations of Manipur, Northeast India.

Manipur, one of the northeastern states of India, lies on the ancient silk route and serves as a meeting point between Southeast Asia and South Asia. The origin and migration histories of Naga and Kuki tribal populations are not clearly understood. Moreover, Kukis have been traced to two different ancestries, which has created confusion among the people. The present study examined genomic affinities and differentiation of the Naga and Kuki tribal populations of Manipur, Northeast India. Twenty autosomal markers (8 Alu insertion-deletions, 12 restriction-fragment-length polymorphisms) were analyzed. Findings show genetic differences between Naga and Kuki tribal populations with respect to the allele distribution pattern, which was substantiated by genetic differentiation (GST = 5.2%) and molecular variance (AMOVA), where the highest percentage of among-group variances was observed between Naga and Kuki tribal groups (7.09%). However, genetic similarities with respect to allele distribution patterns in most of the loci were seen among their respective groups (Rongmei and Inpui, Thadou and Vaiphei). Rongmei and Inpui tribal populations (Naga group) belong to the Naga-Bodo linguistic group, and Thadou and Vaiphei (Kuki group) belong to the Northern Kuki-Chin linguistic group, suggesting that genetic similarities may not be independent of linguistic affinities. Despite differential genetic affinities, both Naga and Kuki tribal populations in Manipur show more proximity with Southeast Asian populations and Northeast Indian populations than with other Indian populations and global populations taken for comparison.

Two new species of loaches from the Irrawaddy River basin, Chin State, Myanmar (Teleostei: Cypriniformes: Nemacheilidae).

Schistura falamensis, a new species of nemacheilid loach, is described from the main channel of the Manipur River in the Irrawaddy River basin, Chin State, western Myanmar. It differs from other congeners of the genus Schistura by a combination of the following characters: 5-8 vertical bars on body; indistinct bars in front of dorsal-fin origin; bars on posterior part of body regular, twice as wide as interspace; black caudal basal bar dissociated, short, not reaching ventral extremity; males with suborbital flap; lateral line complete; and processus dentiformis weak. Schistura altuscauda is a new species described from the Htin stream, Mindat Town, Chin State, Myanmar. It can be distinguished from other congeners by a combination of the following characters: high caudal peduncle (14.0-20.3% SL), strong processus dentiformis on upper jaw; 7-19 bars on flank of body, bars in front of dorsal fin obviously thinner than those behind, sometimes fused in front of dorsal fin; lateral line complete; males with prominent suborbital flap; and pelvic lobe present.

AN INVENTORY OF THE BUTTERFLIES OF MANIPUR, INDIA (INSECTA: LEPIDOPTERA).

The butterfly fauna of Manipur is poorly known, and a few sporadic studies were carried out decades ago. In this study, butterflies were photographed and/or collected in 80 localities including revisiting of 12 historical localities in the hills and valleys from Manipur state, India. Butterflies were regularly sampled between 2010 and 2019. In the present checklist, we have included both previously published and recently recorded species: 798 species belong to six families; Papilionidae (52 sp.), Pieridae (39 sp.), Riodinidae (17 sp.), Lycaenidae (225 sp.), Nymphalidae (270 sp.), and Hesperiidae (195 sp.). Eight species were rediscovered during the study; Byasa latreillei kabrua, Papilio machaon suroia, Lamproptera meges indistincta, Bhutanitis lidderdalii lidderdalii, Lethe kangjupkula, Una usta usta, Arhopala hellenore hellenore and Celaenorrhinus munda maculicornis. Thirty-two species were new records to Manipur; Papilio agestor agestor, Lamproptera curius curius, Appias albina darada, Artogeia erutae montana, Miletus mallus, Flos fulgida fulgida, Cigaritis nipalicus, Rapala rectivitta, Heliophorus kohimensis, H. tamu, Jamides caeruleus, Tarucus venosus, Everes huegelii dipora, Talicada nyseus nyseus, Lestranicus transpectus, Euploea radamanthus radamanthus, Lethe distans, L. dura gammiei, L. latiaris latiaris, L. sura, Neope pulaha, N. yama yama, Zipaetis scylax, Algia fasciata fasciata, Athyma opaline, Pantoporia paraka paraka, Kallima knyvettii, Celaenorrhinus asmara, Hyarotis adrastus praba, Erionota torus, Baoris penicillata chapmani, and Potanthus mingo ajax of which, Miletus mallus was a new record for India. Ninety species are legally protected in schedules (I, II IV) of Indian (Wildlife) Protection Act, 1972.

Genetic Architecture and Anthocyanin Profiling of Aromatic Rice From Manipur Reveals Divergence of Chakhao Landraces.

Aromatic rice of Manipur popularly known as Chakhao is a speciality glutinous rice, for which protection under geographical indication in India has been granted recently. The agronomic and nutraceutical variability of the Chakhao rice germplasm is yet to be genetically characterized. To address this gap, characterization of ninety-three landraces for agro-morphological traits, grain pigmentation, antioxidant properties, and molecular genetic variation was carried out to unravel their population genetic structure. Two major groups were identified based on pericarp color, namely, purple and non-purple, which showed a significant variation for plant height, panicle length, and grain yield. Molecular marker analysis revealed three subpopulations that could be associated with pericarp pigmentation. Deep purple genotypes formed POP3, japonica genotypes adapted to hill environment formed POP1, while POP2 comprised of both indica and aus types. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis revealed two major anthocyanin compounds in pigmented rices, namely, cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G) and peonidin-3-O-glucoside (P3G). The total anthocyanin content among pigmented genotypes ranged from 29.8 to 275.8 mg.100g-1 DW. Total phenolics ranged from 66.5 to 700.3 mg GAE.100g-1 DW with radical scavenging activity (RSA) varying between 17.7 and 65.7%. Anthocyanins and phenolics showed a direct relationship with RSA implying the nutraceutical benefits of deep pigmented rice such as Manipur black rice. Aromatic rices from Manipur were found to be genetically diverse. Therefore, efforts need to be made for maintaining the geographic identity of these rice and utilization in breeding for region-specific cultivar improvement.

Evaluation of the genomic diversity and shared ancestry of the Meitei community of Manipur (India) with the East Asian populations using autosomal STRs.

AIM: To study molecular diversity and genomic heritage of the Meitei community of Manipur using 20 autosomal gene loci markers. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Blood samples were collected from 120 unrelated, healthy individuals of the Meitei population following ethical standards. DNA was extracted using the Phenol chloroform organic extraction method and amplified using the PowerPlex® 21 system. Genetic profiles of the individuals were generated using the Genetic Analyser 3500XL following the recommended protocol. RESULTS: The studied population showed Observed Heterozygosity (Hobs) from 0.583 (TH01) to 0.90 (D6S1043) among all the studied loci. The discrimination power and exclusion power for all the studied loci were found to be 1 and 0.9999999988, respectively, with the maximum power of discrimination being found at Penta E locus. CONCLUSIONS: All the studied loci showed a high degree of matching probability and paternity index of 2.83 × 10-24 and 7.35 × 108, respectively; these are high-level statistical values and indicate that these loci might play a very important role in the application of DNA reports in the courts of justice. The studied population showed a relatively closer genetic affinity with Newar, Kathmandu, and Han Chinese populations compared with the South and West Indian populations. The outcomes of this study will enrich the STR database of the Indian population and this is the first global report on genetic diversity in the Meitei community of Manipur, India, at 20 autosomal STR genetic markers.

The rediscovery of Uraria lacei Craib (Leguminosae) after 67 years from India.

Manipur is one of the biodiversity-rich states in the North-Eastern region of India, and it is also part of the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot with rich plant diversity and endemism. Recent field exploration in the area has resulted in the rediscovery of Uraria lacei Craib after 67 years from its last collection in 1952. The rediscovery of this beautiful species fills a gap in the current distribution knowledge and should pave the way for its immediate conservation and propagation.

Factors associated with human immunodeficiency virus infection and self-assessed risk to human immunodeficiency virus among injecting drug users in Manipur, India.

BACKGROUND: The proximity of Northeast India to the Golden Triangle facilitates easy accessibility to illicit drugs, resulting in a higher proportion of injecting drug users (IDUs) in the states of Northeast India. The estimated human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevalence among IDU in Manipur which is 1.43% is higher than that of the national figure. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of the study were to find the factors associated with HIV infection and correlate the association between HIV status and self-assessed risk to HIV among IDUs in Manipur. METHODS: National Integrated Biological and Behavioral Surveillance (2014-2015) data were used for the study; all analyses done were weighted. In Manipur, information was collected from 1594 IDUs during the surveillance between 2014 and 2015 across four domains, namely Chandel (396), Imphal East (397), Thoubal (401), and Senapati (400). Chi-square test was performed to test the association between the independent and dependent variables. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify risk factors associated with HIV positivity. RESULTS: Higher age, unsafe injecting practice, low education status, and low-income status were significantly (P < 0.05) associated with HIV infection among IDUs in Manipur. Self-assessed risk of HIV infection by IDU was significantly associated with HIV positivity. CONCLUSION: Interventions among IDUs in Manipur should focus on emphasizing safe injecting practices along with creating awareness on HIV prevention and management.

Epidemiological scenario of dengue in the state of Manipur during the last 3 years.

BACKGROUND: The study of disease transmission of dengue fever (DF) is perplexing in the Indian subcontinent as all the four serotypes are circling. Also, there is no efficient epidemiological examination done on dengue cases in Manipur, a north-eastern territory of India. METHOD: We utilized the dengue information extricated from the lab register of Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL) from 2016 to 2018. All presumed outpatient and inpatients dengue cases from open and private health-care facilities are incorporated into the VRDL database whose informed consent were gotten. RESULTS: A sum of 1689 instances of associated patients with dengue infection was tried for dengue ELISA test and 272 (16.10%) samples were seen as seropositive. The month-wise conveyance of dengue cases is very intriguing as the three years of study demonstrates a variation design in perception. In all the three years dengue seropositive cases were seen higher in the male populace. Be that as it may, there is no noteworthy incentive to the inspiration of dengue seropositive towards male than female. CONCLUSION: Our examination exhibits a comparative epidemiological investigation on seroprevelance of dengue in the province of Manipur for three years. This is an endeavour to show epidemiological dengue seroprevelance in the territory of Manipur which in future would be a reference from general wellbeing worries for making up essential move intend to shorten the spread of dengue.

A new species of the genus Garra Hamilton (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from Northeast India.

A new species of Garra with a rostral proboscis is described from the Barak River drainage in Manipur, India. Garra paratrilobata, new species, is distinguished from its congeners in having the combination of the following characters: a prominent trilobed proboscis, the median lobe with 5-7 uni- to tricuspid tubercles on its anterior margin and 4-6 minute tubercles on its anteroventral margin; lateral lobe of the proboscis with 3-4 minute tubercles; lateral surface of the snout lobular, with 6-9 tubercles; 33-34 lateral-line scales; and the rostral surface concave, creased and depressed.

A descriptive study on prevalence pattern of Japanese encephalitis in State of Manipur.

Background and Objective: Japanese encephalitis (JE) surveillance is not well established in many countries, and laboratory confirmation is challenging, the true extent and prevalence of the virus and burden of disease are not well understood. It is estimated that 67,900 clinical cases of JE occur annually despite the widespread availability of vaccine, with approximately 13,600-20,400 deaths and an overall incidence rate of 1.8/100,000 in the 24 countries with JE risk. The present study aimed at determining the prevalence rate (PR) and distribution (time, place and person) of JE cases in Manipur. This descriptive study was conducted over 24-month period (2016-2017). Materials and Methods: A total of 1770 cases of acute encephalitis syndrome tested for JE including 251 confirmed JE were diagnosed by IgM antibody-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The JE cases were most commonly reported in the age group of >15 years. Most of JE prevalence was seen in rural distribution in our study. There is a strong seasonal pattern of JE occurrence in Manipur which peaked in July-August and declined by October each year, which corresponds to the monsoon season. The JE cases were reported in all the districts of the state expanding in the plains and hill regions. Conclusions: The changing pattern of JE cases among different age groups was also observed in our study. The present study reveals the changing pattern of the prevalence of JE in the State of Manipur and initiated a systematic approach of JE surveillance also highlights the need for further expanding of surveillance across the state.

Adiposity markers and its association with age at menarche: A comparative study among rural and urban Meitei females of Manipur, North-East India.

BACKGROUND: Menarche is a critical biomarker in the reproductive life of females. Early age at menarche may represent an indicator of adult adiposity. The study examines the association of various adiposity markers with age at menarche in rural and urban Meitei females of Manipur, India. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among rural and urban Meitei females of Manipur of age 18-45 years. Detailed information of the participants was taken with the help of proforma. Various anthropometric and physiological measurements were also recorded. RESULTS: Mean age at menarche was 12.5 years for urban females and 13.1 years for rural females. Females of urban and rural areas under overweight category of BMI had higher odds of attaining early menarche. Odds of having early menarche were found to be highest among those with risk category of waist hip ratio, waist height ratio and waist circumference in both rural and urban females. CONCLUSION: Females with higher body mass index, high waist-to-hip ratio and waist height ratio were found to be at risk of early menarche.

Arsenic-Iron Relationships in Aquifers of North East India: Implications for Public Health and the Environment.

Arsenic (As) contamination of groundwater in the Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna basin of India and Bangladesh poses severe risk to human health and the environment. Arsenic in the groundwater of this area is largely geogenic, derived from the microbial reductive dissolution of iron (Fe) oxyhydroxide and subsequent release of the sorbed As. The present study examined the correlation between As and Fe in groundwater sources in four districts of Manipur state, and in Cachar, Hailakandi, and Karimganj districts in the Barak Valley region of south Assam. Both the study areas are located in the northeastern region of India. The results reveal that As-Fe correlations in Manipur were more significant and positive, when compared to those in Barak Valley. The significance of these findings in the mobilization and transport of arsenic in the fluvial environment of these two areas of North East India, and in the prediction of arsenic-safe aquifers, are discussed and compared with existing literature. These findings, therefore, have implications in the sustainable management of groundwater resources in the study areas.

Aphelenchoides manipurensis sp. nov. (Nematoda: Tylenchina) from Manipur, India.

Aphelenchoides manipurensis sp. nov. was collected from two different localities of Manipur. Though the specimens collected from two different areas show some variations in their morphology and morphometric data, it was taken as the same species due to similarities in many characters. A. manipurensis sp. nov. had females with L = 294.1-461.91 µm, a = 24.28-38.14, b = 6.3-8.65, b' = 3.61-4.68, c = 12.47-16.46, c' = 3-4.25, stylet = 10.38-13.84 µm, V = 68.88-71.69, post uterine sac = 25.98-53.63 µm long and two lateral lines. Males were common with spicule of 10.38-17.3 µm. Mucro were present in both sexes. Species presented with illustrations and morphometrics.

A new species of the genus Garra (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from the Barak River drainage, Manipur, India.

Garra substrictorostris, a new labeonine species, is described from the Barak River drainage in Manipur, India. It is distinguished from its congeners by the combination of the following characters: a prominent unilobed antrorse proboscis, with 3-5 medium to large multicuspid tubercles on its anterior margin; 4-6 multicuspid tubercles on its anteroventral margin; a prominent transverse lobe with 14-20 multicuspid tubercles; the lateral surface of the snout slightly elevated, lobular with 7-11 small tubercles; 5½ transverse scale rows above the lateral line and 3½ or 4½ scale rows between lateral line and anal-fin origin.

Leaching of Clothianidin in Two Different Indian Soils: Effect of Organic Amendment.

Clothianidin is a widely used insecticide under Indian subtropical condition. The objective of this study was to generate residue data which aims to understand leaching potential of clothianidin [(E)-1-(2-chloro-1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl)-3-methyl-2- nitroguanidine] through packed soil column. The maximum amount of clothianidin was recovered at 0-5 cm soil depth in both Manipur (67.15%) and Delhi soil (52.0%) under continuous flow condition. Manipur and Delhi soil concentrated maximum residue with or without farm yard manure (FYM) in 0-20 cm soil depth. The effect of varying the amount of water enhanced the distribution of residues in the first 0-5 cm layer. Among the tested soils, residue was detected in the leachate from Delhi soil (0.04 µg/mL). Clothianidin leaching was minimized in soil of Manipur compared to Delhi after incorporation of FYM. As the volume of water increased upto 160 mL, mobility increased and residues moved to lower depth. Clothianidin did not leach out of the 25 cm long soil columns even after percolating water equivalent to 415.42 mm rainfall. Clothianidin is mobile in soil system and mobility can be reduced by organic amendment application.

Depression, Anxiety and Stress Among Higher Secondary School Students of Imphal, Manipur.

INTRODUCTION: Adolescence is a stressful period due to physical, psychological, sexual changes, and the presence of psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, and stress at this stage of life is a matter of concern. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of the study were to determine the prevalences of depression, anxiety, and stress among higher secondary school students of Imphal and to determine the association between depression, anxiety, and stress and selected variables such as gender, standard, and religion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From September 2014 to October 2014, a cross-sectional study was conducted among higher secondary school students of Imphal. The sample size was calculated to be 750. Seven schools were randomly selected, and all the students in that school were enrolled in the study. The study tool used was a questionnaire containing DASS (Depression Anxiety Stress Scale) and sociodemographic characteristics. RESULTS: The prevalences of depression, anxiety, and stress among 830 valid respondents were 19.5%, 24.4%, and 21.1%, respectively. In total, 81.6% of the respondents had at least one of the studied disorders and 34.7% of the respondents had all the three negative states. The prevalences of depression, anxiety, and stress were high among females and were significant for anxiety (P = 0.00) and stress (P = 0.04). The prevalences of depression and stress were significantly higher among 12th standard students with P-values of 0.00 and 0.02. CONCLUSION: The prevalences of depression, anxiety, and stress were high with anxiety and stress significantly higher among females, whereas prevalences of depression and stress were significantly higher among 12th standard students. More studies are recommended to determine the factors leading to these mental disorders.

Spiranthes himalayensis (Orchidaceae, Orchidoideae) a new species from Asia.

Spiranthes himalayensis is described here as a new species based primarily on molecular phylogenetic evidence followed by morphological comparison with other Asian Spiranthes species. It is distributed widely from southern India to tropical China. Phylogenetic analysis shows its close affinity to S. nivea which is endemic to Taiwan. Morphologically, the new species looks close to S. sinensis and S. hongkongensis. S. himalayensis is an allogamous species which can be differentiated from its allies on the basis of pubescent plant body, floral bract longer or of the same length as that of ovary, petals with blunt apex, labellum width around hypochile same as the width of epichile, epichile widely flabellate or semi-tunicate, column length equal to or more than 1.5mm, clavate operculum attached to the column on the broader part by an arm-like extension emerging from the upper part of column and a well developed rostellum partitioning the stigma and pollinarium.