Evaluation of Resistance of Banana Genotypes with AAB Genome to Fusarium Wilt Tropical Race 4 in China.

Banana cultivars with the AAB genome group comprise diverse subgroups, such as Plantain, Silk, Iholena, and Pisang Raja, among others, which play an important role in food security in many developing countries. Some of these cultivars are susceptible to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense tropical race 4 (Foc TR4), the most destructive pathogen threatening banana production worldwide, and some of them are still largely unknown. We evaluated the resistance of 37 banana genotypes, including Plantain, Silk, Iholena, Maia Maoli/Popoulu, Pisang Raja, Pome, and Mysore, to Foc TR4 under both greenhouse and field conditions. Genotypes from the Silk and Iholena subgroups were highly susceptible to Foc TR4. Pome and Mysore showed resistance and intermediate resistance, respectively. However, Pisang Raja ranged from susceptible to intermediate resistance. One cultivar from the Maia Maoli/Popoulu subgroup was highly susceptible, while the other displayed significant resistance. Most Plantain cultivars exhibited high resistance to Foc TR4, except two French types of cultivar, 'Uganda Plantain' and 'Njombe N°2', which were susceptible. The susceptibility to Foc TR4 of some of the AAB genotypes evaluated, especially Plantain and other cooking bananas, indicates that growers dependent on these varieties need to be included as part of the prevention and integrated Foc TR4 management strategies, as these genotypes play a crucial role in food security and livelihoods.

Antiproliferative effects of mealworm larvae (Tenebrio molitor) aqueous extract on human colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco-2) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cancer cell lines.

Recently, insects have aroused the interest of researchers as potential therapeutic resources against malignant diseases such as cancer. In this study, the effects of aqueous extracts from mysore thorn borer (MTB) (Anoplophora chinensis) and mealworm larvae (MWL) (Tenebrio molitor) against cancer cells were investigated. MWL aqueous extract showed higher antiproliferative effects against Caco-2 and HepG2 cells compared to MTB. The IC50 (48 hr) of MWL aqueous extract were 11.44 and 20 mg/ml for Caco-2 and HepG2 respectively. Flow cytometry analysis showed that MWL aqueous extract induced apoptosis in Caco-2 and HepG2 increasing from 2.06% to 74.34% and from 0.04% to 42.14% after 24 hr respectively. Caspase activity assay showed that apoptosis was mediated via death receptor pathway mediated by caspase-8 and -9 followed by the activation of caspase-3; caspase-3 may have induced DNA damage and cell death. These effects may be correlated to its free amino acids. The results of this study demonstrate the potentials of MWL in the development of natural anticancer therapeutics in the future. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Natural nutraceuticals from insects might be useful for the treatment and prevention of cancers such as colorectal and liver cancer. In recent years, edible insects have caught the attention of researchers, because of their potential as an alternative source of food and nutraceuticals. The results of our study showed that MWL extract might provide important anticancer compounds against colon and liver cancer.

Comparison of the nutritional value of mysore thorn borer (Anoplophora chinensis) and mealworm larva (Tenebrio molitor): Amino acid, fatty acid, and element profiles.

There is increasing interest in using insects as an alternative nutrient source and Mysore thorn borer (MTB) (Anoplophora chinensis) might have nutritional and functional relevance for humans. The nutritional composition of MTB (amino acids, fatty acids, and elements profiles) was examined and compared with mealworm larva (MWL) (Tenebrio molitor). MTB was found to contain 19 amino acids, including all essential amino acids. A total of 16 fatty acids were detected including polyunsaturated fatty acids (e.g. α-linolenic acid and linoleic acid). Moreover, MTB had a low n - 6/n - 3 ratio and contained some essential elements, such as iron, zinc, calcium, and potassium. These results demonstrated that MTB might be a potential source of nutritional compounds for human consumption.

Geckos in the granite: two new geckos (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from rocky, scrub habitats in Rishi Valley, Andhra Pradesh, India.

Two new species of geckos from the genera Cnemaspis and Hemidactylus are described from a granite outcrop in the Rishi Valley, Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh, India. Cnemaspis rishivalleyensis sp. nov. and Hemidactylus rishivalleyensis sp. nov. are presently known only from their type locality and are 8.7 % and 10.9 % divergent from their closest known sister species, respectively. The new species are allied to the mysoriensis and murrayi clades of South Asian Cnemaspis and the brookii group of Indian Hemidactylus, respectively. The two new species can be diagnosed from regional congeners by the number and arrangement of femoral and precloacal pores and poreless scales separating these series, body size, the number of tubercles in paravertebral rows, the number of enlarged tubercles around mid-body, the number of ventral scales across mid-body, the number of lamellae beneath digit IV of pes and manus, and subtle differences in colour pattern. Four endemic geckos now have their type localities within 10 km of each other, Cnemaspis graniticola and Cyrtodactylus rishivalleyensis from Horsley Hills and the two new species from Rishi valley. The two new species are also the third endemic species each of Cnemaspis and Hemidactylus from Andhra Pradesh.

A cross-sectional study on eruption timing of primary teeth in children of Mysore, Karnataka.

CONTEXT: Eruption of first primary teeth is the most anxiously awaited developmental milestone in a child. However, primary teeth have shown wide variations in their eruption time among different population, ethnic, and racial groups. AIMS: The present study was conducted with the aim to evaluate the time and sequence of eruption of primary teeth of children of Mysore. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A cross-sectional study design included 1392 participants aged 3 months to 36 months recruited by simple random sampling method. The variables such as age, gender, and number of erupted primary teeth were recorded. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Clinical examination was done under natural illumination. A tooth was considered erupted when any part of its crown had penetrated the gingiva and was visible in the oral cavity. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Probit regression analysis was performed to obtain the mean and median age of eruption of teeth. The significance of difference in the mean age of eruption across gender and arch was determined using paired t-test. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The first primary tooth to erupt was mandibular central incisor at 10.24 ± 2.47 months followed by maxillary central incisor at 11.06 ± 2.65 months. The duration of primary teeth eruption was 17.89 and 18.32 months in males, 18.54 months and 18.32 months in females for maxilla and mandible, respectively. Eruption of primary tooth is delayed among children of Mysore as compared to standard eruption chart. The results will provide information to health professional about contemporary tooth eruption time derived from an Indian population.

Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Acceptability among Parents of Adolescent Girls in a Rural Area, Mysore, India.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine factors predicting human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine acceptability among parents of adolescent girls in a rural area in Mysore district, India. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: Mysore, India. PARTICIPANTS: Parents of school-going adolescent girls. INTERVENTIONS: Parents completed a validated self-administered questionnaire. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Parental willingness to vaccinate their daughters with HPV vaccine. RESULTS: Of the 831 parents who participated in this study, 664 (79.9%) were willing to vaccinate their daughter with HPV vaccine sometime soon if they were invited to receive it. Higher odds of parental willingness to vaccinate their daughters with HPV vaccine was observed among those who believed that HPV vaccine is safe (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.11; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-4.45); their daughter might become sexually active (aOR, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.08-3.13); they have support of other family members to vaccinate their daughter (aOR, 2.86; 95% CI, 1.47-5.57); and that HPV infection causes severe health problems (aOR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.04-2.57). In contrast, parents who believed that there is low risk that their daughter will get cervical cancer (aOR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.29-0.95); that the family will disapprove of getting their daughter vaccinated (aOR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.22-0.76); that the injection might cause pain (aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.31-0.89), and were older-age parents (aOR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.93-0.99) had lower odds of willingness to vaccinate daughters with HPV vaccine. CONCLUSION: Acceptance of HPV vaccination for daughters was high among rural parents in Mysore, India. However, health education to reduce the belief that injection is painful and that daughters are at low risk to get cervical cancer is important to further improve parental HPV vaccine acceptability in Mysore. Public health education should target older-aged parents and extended family members.

Evolution of phenylthiocarbamide taster trait in Mysore, South India.

BACKGROUND: The ability to taste phenylthiocarbamide (PTC), a bitter chemical has long been known to be a heritable trait, which is being widely used for both genetic and anthropological studies. The frequency of taster and non-taster allele is found to vary in different populations. AIMS AND OBJECTIVE: To investigate the frequency of taster trait in Mysore, South India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present investigation was conducted in Mysore, South India during 2002 - 2003. About 3282 subjects irrespective of age, sex, religion, food habits, socio-economic status were randomly selected from various parts of the city and a total of 180 families, which included Christian (50), Hindu (61) and Muslim (69) were screened from different localities of the city. Harris and Kalmus method was used to assess the PTC taster and nontaster phenotype. RESULTS: It was found that tasters were significantly more frequent than nontasters in all the four categories. The incidence of tasters was more in unbiased category (85%) and less in Muslim category (58%). Investigations on PTC tasting in the families of three different religious groups revealed that the tasters were significantly more frequent than nontasters. It was also found that heterozygous father or mother for the taster genes with nontaster partner had taster and nontaster progenies in the ratio 1.0: 1.54 indicating the deviation in the segregation pattern of test cross. CONCLUSION: In Mysore, tasters are more frequent than nontasters. Variation in the frequency of nontaster allele in the religious groups could be due to inbreeding.

Diabetic self care practices in rural Mysuru, Southern Karnataka, India - A need for Diabetes Self Management Educational (DSME) program.

CONTEXT: Diabetes and its complications are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the world. Self care has emerged as a crucial element in the management of diabetes and a key factor associated with the quality of diabetic care. AIMS: The purpose of the study was to assess the self care activities of patients with Type II diabetes mellitus in a rural area of Mysuru district. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A community based cross sectional descriptive study was carried out among 400 diabetic patients in rural Mysore. METHODS AND MATERIAL: Self care Activities (Diet, exercise, self blood glucose monitoring, medication, foot care, smoking) were assessed using a pre designed and tested questionnaire. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Relevant descriptive analysis like percentages is carried out using SPSS version 22.0. RESULTS: Most of the diabetic patients had good compliance for medication (92.5%), followed by 72% for diabetic diet. Only 27.75% of the diabetic patients participated in walking, 24.25% practised foot care, blood glucose monitoring by 24.75% and only 25.5% of them were current smokers. CONCLUSIONS: The rural diabetic patients are more adherent and compliant to medication and diabetic diet and less compliant to physical activity, foot care and self glucose monitoring.

Seasonal prevalence of blood parasitic diseases in crossbred cattle of Mysore and its surrounding districts of Karnataka.

The present study report the seasonal prevalence of blood parasitic diseases in cross bred cattle in Mysore and its surrounding districts of Karnataka such as Mandya, Chamaraj Nagar and Kodagu. The study was undertaken for a period of 2 years from August 2013 to July 2015. A total of 1655 blood samples were collected from clinically suspected cattle for blood parasitic diseases with clinical symptoms of anorexia, high fever, anaemia, salivation, enlargement of superficial lymphnodes, haemoglobinuria and sudden drop in milk yield. The blood samples were examined by giemsa's staining technique. Of the 1655 blood samples screened, 673 (40.22%) blood samples were found positive for blood parasites. Amid 673 positive samples, 609 (90.49%), 19 (2.82%) and 45 (6.68%) were found positive for Theileria annulata, Babesia bigemina and Anaplasma marginale respectively. The season wise prevalence revealed that, the highest prevalence was observed in summer months (March-June) (43.17%) followed by rainy (July-October) (39.53%) and winter season (November-February) (39.35%). Further, the month wise prevalence showed highest in August (77.64%) (Rainy month) followed by November (38.23%) and January (35.93%). During August-2013 to July 2014 and between August-2014 and July 2015, the highest was found in the month of May (85%) followed by July (70%) and April (69.81%). Theileriosis was most prevalent in summer (92.73%) followed by rainy (90.95%) and winter season (87.61%). Babesiosis was most prevalent in winter season (5.04%) followed by rainy (1.8%) and summer season (1.7%) whereas, Anaplasmosis was most prevalent in rainy season (7.23%) followed by winter (6.88%) and summer season (5.55%) during two years of study period.

Quality of diabetic care in an urban slum area of Mysore: A community based study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Community based cross sectional study was conducted in an urban slum of Mysore. Data was collected between July and August 2011. Known diabetics residing in this area were included in the study. Socio-demographic information of diabetic patients, history, physicians advice and the extent of compliance of patients towards treatment were assessed. Descriptive statistics, like percentages were calculated. RESULTS: Study comprised of 104 patients. Mean fasting and post prandial blood glucose was 163±70mg/dl and 239±89mg/dl respectively. Common co-morbid conditions were hypertension and obesity. Key process indicators of care, indicated that adherence to medication advice was maximum and less than one fourth of them had an annual Hba1c and lipid profile examinations. CONCLUSIONS: To prevent long term complications associated with diabetes, doctors must adhere to the guidelines. There is a need to improve the health system, in terms of developing facilities to provide annual eye examination, annual lipid profile, urea, creatinine testing for diabetic patient.

Metabolic syndrome among diabetics and pre-diabetics of Jenu Kuruba tribe in Mysore district (JKDHS-2)--An evidence of metabolic abnormalities leading to increase in CVD's among Jenu Kuruba tribal population.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of clinical and metabolic abnormalities. In diabetics, other components of metabolic syndrome are an added risk factor for cardiovascular disease and all these cause mortality. Epidemiological transition is happening all over the world and tribes are not spared either. Identifying the extent of metabolic syndrome and its components in diabetics is vital for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases and other morbidities. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome among diabetics and pre-diabetics of Jenu Kuruba tribe and compare the mean values of various components of metabolic syndrome among diabetics and pre-diabetics. METHODS: A community based cross sectional study was carried out among 7500 Jenu Kuruba tribal population in two phases. In phase I, total of 7500 subjects were screened for diabetes and hypertension and in phase II, a total of 249 diabetics and 310 pre-diabetics were identified and evaluated for metabolic syndrome. RESULTS: Prevalence of metabolic syndrome was estimated using NCEP ATP-III criteria. Metabolic syndrome was found in 84 (33.7%) of diabetics and 113 (36.4%) of pre-diabetic study subjects. Metabolic syndrome was highest in the 41-50 year age group. Lipid parameters such as total cholesterol, triglycerides and VLDL were significantly higher and HDL levels were significantly lower among subjects with metabolic syndrome as compared to subjects without metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: One third of diabetics and pre-diabetics had definable metabolic syndrome. Dyslipidemia is a significant component of metabolic syndrome. Epidemiological transitions are happening among Jenu Kuruba tribes and non-communicable diseases are on the raise among them.

Diurnal variations of (218)Po, (214)Pb, and (214)Po and their effect on atmospheric electrical conductivity in the lower atmosphere at Mysore city, Karnataka State, India.

The short-lived radon daughters ((218)Po, (214)Pb, (214)Bi and (214)Po) are natural tracers in the troposphere, in particular near the ground surface. They are electrically charged particles and are chemically reactive. As soon as they are formed they get attached to the aerosol particles of the atmosphere. The behavior of radon daughters is similar to that of aerosols with respect to their growth, transport and removal processes in the atmosphere. The electrical conductivity of the atmosphere is mainly due to the presence of highly mobile ions. Galactic cosmic rays are the main source of ionization in the planetary boundary layer; however, near the surface of the earth, ions are produced mainly by decays of natural radioactive gases emanating from the soil surface and by radiations emitted directly from the surface. Hence the electrical conductivity of air near the surface of the earth is mainly due to radiations emitted by (222)Rn, (218)Po, (214)Pb, (214)Bi and (214)Po, and depends on aerosol concentrations and meteorological parameters. In the present work the diurnal and seasonal variations of radon and its progeny concentrations are studied using Low Level Radon Detection System and Airflow Meter respectively. Atmospheric electrical conductivity of both positive and negative polarities is measured using a Gerdien Condenser. All the measurements were carried out simultaneously at one location in Mysore city (12°N, 76°E), India. The diurnal variation of atmospheric electrical conductivity was found to be similar to that of ion pair production rate estimated from radon and its progeny concentrations with a maximum in the early morning hours and minimum during day time. The annual average concentrations of (222)Rn, (218)Po, (214)Pb, and (214)Po at the study location were found to be 21.46, 10.88, 1.78 and 1.80 Bq m(-3) respectively. The annual average values of positive and negative atmospheric electrical conductivity were found to be 18.1 and 16.6 f S m(-1) respectively. The radon and its progeny concentrations are higher in winter than in summer and rainy season.

Physician's practices and perspectives regarding tobacco cessation in a teaching hospital in Mysore City, Karnataka.

CONTEXT: Tobacco is a leading cause of disease and premature death. Most of the smokers visit a doctor for various health related ailments and thus such clinic visits provide many opportunities for interventions and professional tobacco cessation advice. AIMS: The primary aim of the following study is to assess the physician practices, perspectives, resources, barriers and education relating to tobacco cessation and their perceived need for training for the same. The secondary aim is to compare the physician's cessation practices from patient's perspective. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A descriptive study was conducted in a hospital attached to Medical College in Mysore city, Karnataka. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Information about doctor's practices, perspectives and their perceived need for training in tobacco cessation were collected using pre-structured self-administered Questionnaire, which were distributed in person. Patient's practices and perspectives were assessed using a pre-structured Oral Questionnaire. RESULTS: Almost 95% of physicians said that they ask patients about their smoking status and 94% advise them to quit smoking, but only 50% assist the patient to quit smoking and only 28% arrange follow-up visits. Thus, they do not regularly provide assistance to help patients quit, even though 98% of the physicians believed that helping patients to quit was a part of their role. Only 18% and 35% of the physicians said that Undergraduate Medical Education and Post Graduate Medical Education respectively prepared them very well to participate in smoking cessation activities. CONCLUSIONS: Tobacco cessation requires repeated and regular assistance. Such assistance is not being provided to patients by attending doctors. Our medical education system is failing to impart the necessary skills to doctors, needed to help patients quit smoking. Reforms in education are needed so as to prepare the physician to effectively address this problem.

Prevalence and factors influencing perinatal mortality in rural mysore, India.

BACKGROUND: With decreasing Infant Mortality Rate, Perinatal Mortality is gaining importance as it takes into consideration most of the factors influencing child birth and its survival, mortality during this period is a better indicator of quality of Maternal and Child Health services. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the Prevalence of perinatal mortality and its associated risk factors. METHODOLOGY: Cross sectional community based study was carried out in rural field practice area catering 26,700 population. All births during 2010 among permanent residents of this area were included. House to house survey was conducted to collect details regarding Antenatal, intra-natal and post-natal history by interviewing mother using a pre-tested questionnaire. Hospital records were also referred when available. RESULTS: Nine perinatal deaths had occurred out of 314 births in a span of one year with a perinatal, early neonatal mortality rates of 28.93, 19.29 per 1000 live births respectively and still birth rate of 9.55 per 100 total births. Higher Perinatal Mortality Rate(PNMR) was observed in mothers who got married before 18 years, conceived during teenage, having anaemia, delivered at home, normal vaginal deliveries and having suffered by intra-partal and placental complications. Male babies, babies fed with prelacteal feeds, born out of intra-uterine complications, having low birth weight, had delayed first cry, premature births and twin births showed higher risk for mortality. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of perinatal mortality in the present study was 28.93 per 1000 live births. Even though this was well below the national and state values indicating improved quality of Maternal and Child Health care, it also gives way for relooking into strategies for further bringing down the perinatal deaths.

Some Less Known Ethnomedicinal uses from Mysore and coorg districts, Karnataka, Southern India.

Present communication deals with 51 less known uses belonging to 39 medicinal plants which are being used traditionally in Karnataka, and are not well known for its said efficacies for curing respective disorders. Each use has been given under correct botanical name, family, local name, locality in particular district and finally the collection number.