ABSTRACT
Background: A massive global human disaster has been created by a recent contagious respiratory infectious disease caused by a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). The most effective way of controlling infectious diseases is often vaccination. Public vaccine hesitancy is a big problem for public health authorities. Present study was designed to assess the attitudes and hesitancy toward Covid -19 vaccine among healthcare workers and medical students of RUHS-College of Medical Sciences. Material and methods: It was an observational, questionnaire-based study carried out under the department of Pharmacology, RUHS-college of medical sciences Jaipur. The study tool was consists of a digital questionnaire which was prepared in English language. Result: The present study was carried out among 521 health care workers. In this study 48.9% participants were completely agree 31.9% somewhat agree, 13.6% neutral,3.5% somewhat disagree and 2.1% completely disagree to accept covid-19 vaccine without prior employer recommendation. After employer recommendation covid-19 vaccine acceptance was increased. Now 54% participants were completely agree to accept covid-19 vaccine. Hesitancy to covid-19 vaccine was maximal due to possible side effects (65.5%). Conclusions: Acceptability of vaccination in our participants was increased after awareness to vaccine. So by increasing awareness for acceptance of covid-19 vaccine, we can prevent mass rejection of covid-19 vaccine in general population during vaccination program. Vaccine hesitancy must be addressed for successful implementation of covid-19 vaccination program in future
ABSTRACT
Gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii L.) has its immense importance to the floriculture industry worldwide. The gerbera flower production has been hampered by various viruses, among them cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) has shown considerable damage.As natural resistance to CMV is absent in gerbera, here, we have made an attempt to develop transgenic gerbera plants expressing coat protein (CP) gene of CMV via Agrobacterium mediated transformation of base petiole explants for genetic resistance to CMV infection. Among the 44 putative transgenic gerbera plant acclimatized, 39 were found positive for integration of CP gene by polymerase chain reaction and southern hybridization assay using their specific primer and probe respectively. Northern hybridization assay using CP gene specific probe confirmed the transcription of transgene in all 39 transgenic plants. These plants showed translation of CP during DAS-ELISA when tested with antiserum specific to CP of CMV. These 39 plants when challenged by mechanical inoculations with CMV gerbera isolate showed virus resistance in 53% (21 out of 39) plants, virus tolerance (delayed mild symptom) in 33% (13/39) plants, while rest 12.8% (5/39) plants showed severe disease symptoms. The CP mediated resistance of CMV in transgenic gerbera is being reported for the first time from India.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Cryptococcal meningitis is a common opportunistic infection in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-infected individuals. There is little information specifically addressing cryptococcal meningitis in HIV-infected patients from North India. AIMS: To determine clinical presentation, hospital course, response to treatment, complications developed, in-hospital mortality, any recurrence of cryptococcal meningitis and reasons of recurrence during follow-up. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A retrospective observational study undertaken in a large tertiary care center. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patient's demographic data, presenting clinical symptomatology, physical findings, laboratory parameters, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination findings, side-effects of treatment, development of any complications and hospital outcome were analyzed. During follow-up any recurrence of cryptococcal meningitis, possible reasons of recurrence, type of treatment received, complications developed and outcome was recorded as well. RESULTS: Forty patients diagnosed to have cryptococcal meningitis were analyzed. Twenty-two (55%) patients had acute/ subacute presentation. Thirty-six (90%) patients presented with headache and 18 (45%) had altered sensorium. Twenty (50%) patients had no cells in the CSF. Hypoglycorrhchia was seen in 30 (75%) patients. Cryptococcal meningitis was the first acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)-defining illness in 30 (75%) patients. Thirty-five patients developed some adverse effects to amphotericin-B. Thirty-three patients improved with treatment while three patients died. Four patients had recurrence of cryptococcal meningitis within six months of first episode. Non-compliance of fluconazole therapy was the reason for recurrence in all of these patients. CONCLUSIONS: Cryptococcal meningitis is a common initial AIDS-defining illness. Acute and/or subacute presentation of cryptococcal meningitis is not uncommon in HIV-infected individuals. An early diagnosis of HIV infection might reduce the incidence of this infection.