Bioactive Molecules Derived from Plants in Managing Dengue Vector Aedes aegypti (Linn.).

Mosquitoes are the potential vectors of several viral diseases such as filariasis, malaria, dengue, yellow fever, Zika fever and encephalitis in humans as well as other species. Dengue, the most common mosquito-borne disease in humans caused by the dengue virus is transmitted by the vector Ae. aegypti. Fever, chills, nausea and neurological disorders are the frequent symptoms of Zika and dengue. Thanks to various anthropogenic activities such as deforestation, industrialized farming and poor drainage facilities there has been a significant rise in mosquitoes and vector-borne diseases. Control measures such as the destruction of mosquito breeding places, a reduction in global warming, as well as the use of natural and chemical repellents, mainly DEET, picaridin, temephos and IR-3535 have proven to be effective in many instances. Although potent, these chemicals cause swelling, rashes, and eye irritation in adults and children, and are also toxic to the skin and nervous system. Due to their shorter protection period and harmful nature towards non-target organisms, the use of chemical repellents is greatly reduced, and more research and development is taking place in the field of plant-derived repellents, which are found to be selective, biodegradable and harmless to non-target species. Many tribal and rural communities across the world have been using plant-based extracts since ancient times for various traditional and medical purposes, and to ward off mosquitoes and various other insects. In this regard, new species of plants are being identified through ethnobotanical surveys and tested for their repellency against Ae. aegypti. This review aims to provide insight into many such plant extracts, essential oils and their metabolites, which have been tested for their mosquitocidal activity against different life cycle forms of Ae. Aegypti, as well as for their efficacy in controlling mosquitoes.

Seed treatment and foliar application of methyl salicylate (MeSA) as a defense mechanism in rice plants against the pathogenic bacterium, Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae.

Methyl salicylate (MeSA) is a volatile biological compound synthesized from salicylic acid (SA) and is a plant hormone that helps defend against pests and pathogens. A major bacterial pathogen of rice, Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) causes severe disease. Seed and plant treatments with MeSA can stimulate the defense enzyme peroxidase (POD) in plants. Response of peroxidase activity in rice (Oryza sativa L) cultivars IR 20, IR 50, IR 64, ASD 16, ASD 19 and ADT 46 to MeSA were measured under greenhouse conditions. Treatments of rice seedlings with MeSA at 50 and 100 mg L-1 significantly upregulated POD expression in the plants. The activity of POD was also significantly upregulated when plants were inoculated with bacterial blight. Effects were stronger in ASD 16, ASD 19 and ADT 46 and were more pronounced in high dose treatment (100 mg L-1) when inoculated with bacterial blight condition and the effects were dose dependent, although the relationship between dose and rice varieties were not always linear. The pathogenic related (PR) protein bands at 33 kDa and 14 kDa were identified in treatments of 100 mg L-1 MeSA in the presence of bacterial blight disease. Band intensity was estimated to be twice that of those from pathogen induce MeSA levels in rice plants. These results suggest that treatment with MeSA can significantly increase the POD defense related enzyme by altering the plant physiology in ways that may be beneficial for crop protection.

Clinical Assessment of Macular Involvement and Its Correlation to the Severity of Diabetic Retinopathy in Uncomplicated Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients.

India has roughly 50% of the world’s burden of diabetes and is expected to double by the year 2025. Macular oedema is the leading cause of central vision loss among the diabetic population. Our aim was to detect the presence of macular oedema in type 2 diabetic patients and correlate it to the type and severity of diabetic retinopathy.METHODSThis was a cross-sectional study done on two hundred patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus fulfilling our inclusion criteria. After entering patients’ details, complete history including duration and treatment of diabetes, detailed clinical slit lamp examination, with biomicroscopy/IDO was done and the fundus findings were documented using the fundus camera, and retinopathy was graded according to the ETRS Classification system. Patients' glucose level, HbA1c, cholesterol, urea and creatinine values were collected. BMI was calculated from their height and weight. Macular findings were documented and correlated to the patient variables and also to the severity of diabetic retinopathy and analysed using the Chi-square test.RESULTSOut of 200 patients, 128 were male and 72 were female. Our incidence of CSME was 14% and was more prevalent in patients with Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy and they all showed statistically significant reduction in their visual acuity. BMI, cholesterol, duration of diabetes, HbA1c and insulin therapy didn’t show any significant correlation to the occurrence of CSME.CONCLUSIONSPeriodic fundus evaluation to detect macular oedema associated with retinopathy is mandatory for diabetic patients. Proper diagnosis and early intervention will help in reducing central vision loss in diabetic patients.