Screening of efficient arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi for Azadirachta indica under nursery condition: a step towards afforestation of semi-arid region of western India

To optimize nursery practices for efficient plant production procedures and to keep up to the ever growing demand of seedlings, identification of the most suitable species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), specific for a given tree species, is clearly a necessary task. Sixty days old seedlings of Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) raised in root trainers were inoculated with six species of AMF and a mixed inoculum (consortia) and kept in green house. Performances of the treatments on this tree species were evaluated in terms of growth parameters like plant height shoot collar diameter, biomass and phosphorous uptake capabilities. Significant and varied increase in the growth parameters and phosphorous uptake was observed for most of the AMF species against control. Consortia culture was found to be the best suited AMF treatment for A.indica, while Glomus intraradices and Glomus mosseae were the best performing single species cultures. It is the first time in the state of Gujarat that a wide variety of AMF species, isolated from the typical semi-arid region of western India, were tested for the best growth performance with one of the most important tree species for the concerned region.

The efficacy of low-dose oral corticosteroids in the treatment of vitiligo patient.

Autoimmunity is one of the most probable pathogenesis of vitiligo. Systemic corticosteroids may arrest the progression of vitiligo and lead to repigmentation by suppressing immunity. The clinical efficacy of low-dose oral corticosteroids was assessed to minimize the side-effects in actively spreading vitiligo patients. One hundred (100) patients with vitiligo were evaluated. The patients took daily doses of oral prednisolone (0.3 mg/kg body weight) initially as a single oral dose after breakfast for the first 2 months. The dosage was then reduced to half the initial dose during the 3rd month and was halved again for the 4th and final month. After 4 months of treatment, 76% showed repigmentation while the arrest of progression (both repigmentation and stationary) was noted in 90% of patients. Male sex, and patients under 15 years of age showed pronounced repigmentation with statistical significance. According to this study low-dose oral prednisolone is an effective method in preventing progression and inducing repigmentation of fast-spreading vitiligo without the associated serious side-effects.

Broom stick dermatitis.

Soft plastic handle cover of newly produced broom stick causing contact dermatitis in reported.

Singular anti-RNA virus-directed proteins.

AIMS: To additionally purify and characterise the anti-RNA virus-directed protein termed p14. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Antiviral assays of p14 against RNA and DNA viruses were carried out and its antigenic similarities with chicken interferon (CIFN) were studied. HPLC-Reverse Phase of p14 was performed to further purify p14. RESULTS: p14 showed antiviral activity against RNA viruses only and not against DNA viruses. It was antigenically distinct from CIFN. Purification of p14 yielded three proteins with antiviral activity, which had different physico-chemical properties than those described for interferons. CONCLUSIONS: The data presented on the antiviral, immunological and physico-chemical properties, establish the unique nature of p14 vis-á-vis those of interferons.

Strategies for eradication of poliomyelitis--the Indian experience.

Substantial progress has been made towards achieving global eradication of poliomyelitis by the end of the year 2000; the goal set by the World Health Assembly in May 1988. The basic strategies to eradicate polio are: attaining high routine coverage with at least three doses of OPV; conducting national immunization days (NIDs) in polio endemic countries; establishing a sensitive system of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance to track wild poliovirus circulation; and conducting "mopping-up" immunization when polio is reduced to focal transmission. By the end of 2000. India was in the midst of the sixth National Immunization Days (NIDs). Surveillance system for Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) continued to achieve the recommended non-polio AFP rate of at least 1 per 100,000 population < 15 years per year (1.88 for week 51 ending 23rd December 2000), the adequate stool specimen collection rate was 83% that met the target of > 80%. Some States in the south and west have started to implement mopping-up immunization campaigns as the end-stage strategy to eliminate the last remaining foci of transmission. While most of India appears to be well placed to eradicate polio by the end of 2000 or shortly thereafter, concerns remain about low coverage in parts of the densely populated northern States of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar where high intensity transmission persists. The Government of India has embarked upon an intensified strategy that relies on extra rounds of NIDs; house-to-house immunization to reach previously missed children; and aggressive mopping-up campaigns including pre-emptive mopping-up in the known reservoirs in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Extensive microplanning and supervision of the supplementary immunization activities is critical to achieve the target of polio eradication.

Surveillance for polio eradication: current status and lessons learnt--India, 1999.

With the launch of the Universal Immunisation Programme in India in 1985, childhood immunisation was provided to children in all districts of the country in a phased manner by 1990. Surveillance for vaccine preventable diseases (VPD) including polio was started at the same time with monthly reporting from the districts to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW), Government of India (GOI). In 1995, the Pulse Polio Immunisation (PPI) campaign was launched with the objective of polio eradication. Prior to 1997, surveillance for polio was directed at finding clinical polio cases by passive reporting from health facilities. There was no active surveillance for all cases of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP). In 1996, a scheme for the surveillance of AFP was drawn up. With the support of the Danish and US governments and Rotary International, 59 surveillance medical officers (SMOs) were hired, trained, and posted throughout the country in October 1997 to establish active surveillance of AFP. The number of SMOs was increased to 108 in August 1999. The SMOs along with their government counterparts established 10,069 reporting units nationwide by the end of November 1999 reporting weekly the occurrence of AFP cases to the district, state, and national levels; timely case investigation and collection of stool specimens from AFP cases; linkages to support the polio laboratory network; and extensive training of government counterparts. Data reported to the national level is analysed and put on an internet website which is updated every two weeks. Annualised rates of reported non-polio AFP have increased from 0.22 per 100,000 children aged < 15 years in 1997 to 1.57 in 1999. The number of polio cases associated with isolation of wild poliovirus decreased from 1404 in the third trimester of 1998 to 664 in the third trimester of 1999, yet widespread transmission of wild polioviruses persists throughout the country.

Epstein-Barr virus in nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Indian patients.

Formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue blocks from 40 cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma were investigated for the presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Heminested polymerase chain reaction was employed to amplify U 2 region of EBV DNA coding for EBNA 2 gene. This is the first study of its kind carried out in India. EBV was detected in 28 out of 40 (70%) nasopharyngeal carcinomas. Type A EBV was identified in 20 cases (71.4%), type B in 7 cases (25%) and coinfection in one case (3.5%). Either type A, or type B EBV, was identified in 22 out of 23 cases (95.7%) of undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma and 6 out of 15 cases (40%) of non keratinized squamous carcinoma. The higher incidence of EBV in non keratinized squamous carcinoma of nasopharynx assumes importance in view of the contrary reports in other studies. 26 cases were from Western India, of which 15 (57.6%) showed presence of type A EBV and 2 (7.6%) type B EBV. From Eastern Indian particularly Assam, 4 our of 5 cases showed positivity for type B EBV and 1 a coinfection. Whereas, from Bihar 3 out of 4 cases showed presence of type A EBV. From Middle East (Arabs) type A EBV was detected in 3 out of 5 cases of nasopharyngeal carcinomas. Geographically, type A EBV was far more prevalent in Western India, while in Eastern India particularly Assam, all five vases were positive for type B EBV. Thus, a significant variation in the type of EBV infection was observed in nasopharyngeal carcinoma in different ethnic populations in India.

Comparative efficacy of three measles vaccines in Indian children.

A Comparative study of three types of measles vaccines was undertaken among 1005 children. Of these 527 were vaccinated with the Serum Institute of India (SII) vaccine, 230 with Schwarz (SC) and 248 were vaccinated with Edmonston-Zegreb (EZ) vaccine (imported from Zegreb). Though the majority of children reacted favourably with all the three vaccines (SII: 98.43%; SC: 93.40%; EZ: 93.0%) with a rise in titre, but the percentage of seroconversion was significantly higher with the SII vaccine (p < 0.01). The Schwarz and Edmonston Zagreb vaccines showed significantly less GM titre as compared with the other age group i.e. 9-12 months (p < 0.05). With Serum Institute of India (SII) vaccine the GM titres were almost similar in the different age groups. The overall GM titre obtained with the SII vaccine was significantly higher than the SC vaccine (p > 0.001) as well as the EZ vaccine (p > 0.001). It is of interest to note that among the infants, 22.5% children had measles antibody in them before vaccination.

Study of head injury victims in fatal road traffic accidents in Delhi.

The study revealed 31% were the victims of Head injury injury in this part of Delhi in vehicular accidents. Although majority of the fatalities were on the spot quite a number of such victims survived for a varied period. A multipronged approach including the preventive and curative measures for this man-made calamity is the need of the hour. Amongst various preventive measure are wearing helmet be made compulsory for both the driver and pillion riders of two-wheelers, development of a safe traffic sense amongst the road users. Traffic Police should be honest, exemplary punishment for the reckless driver, decongestion of Delhi roads etc. The curative measures are facilities of CT scanners and neurosurgeons in all the major hospitals, provision of first-aid in the PCR (Police control room) vans, to institute immediate treatment to the victim without waiting for the medico-legal formalities, opening of more fully equipped Accident and trauma centres. It is high time the concerned authorities gave some serious thought towards this avoidable epidemic on Delhi roads.

Influence of cigarette smoking on Vitamin C, glutathione and lipid peroxidation status.

There has been a growing interest during recent years in the role of free radicals and lipid-peroxidation at tissue-level for the causation of cancer and other age-related diseases like atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, cataract etc. Free radicals and increased lipid peroxidation play a significant role for causation of human diseases by oxidative damage and functional degeneration of the tissues. Vitamin C, a well-known dietary antioxidant, and other enzymatic antioxidants like glutathione can protect the lipids of lipoproteins and other biomembranes against peroxidative damage by intercepting oxidants before they can attack the tissues. But cigarette smoking was found to affect the antioxidant protective action of Vitamin C, glutathione etc. A group of adult male smokers in this study were found to have lowered Vitamin 'C' & glutathione levels, but increased lipid-peroxide levels in their blood. Thus the increased pathogenicity of the smoking may also be due to indirect biochemical effect of enhanced oxidative stress by increased lipid-peroxidation and lowered Vitamin C & other antioxidants at tissue-level.

Putative chikungunya virus-specific receptor proteins on the midgut brush border membrane of Aedes aegypti mosquito.

Two proteins (putative receptors) of 60 and 38 kDa, for chikungunya (CHIK) virus were detected in the brush border membrane fraction (BBMF) of the normal population of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Mosquitoes were infected orally with CHIK virus and infectivity checked by testing the head squashes. BBMF was prepared from proved positive and negative mosquitoes. The receptor proteins were found to be present in both the proved genotypes. However, dot-b'ot assays showed that the CHIK virus binding activity of BBMF/mg protein was noticeably low in the proved negative mosquitoes as compared to the positives. BBMF from the larvae of the normal populations also showed the presence of the receptor proteins, binding to CHIK virus. Receptor proteins from larvae as well as the adults were found glycosylated. CHIK virus receptor proteins of 24, 45, 58, 60 and 62 kDa were also seen in the membrane fraction of the C6/36 cells.

Investigation of buffalopox outbreaks in Maharashtra State during 1992-1996.

During 1992-96, outbreaks of buffalopox zoonosis were reported from different villages in Jalgaon, Dhule and Beed districts of Maharashtra State. In humans, pox lesions were observed on the hands whereas in affected buffaloes and cows the lesions were noticed mainly on the teats and udder. Twenty two virus strains were isolated from the skin scabs collected from infected humans and milch animals. Neutralizing antibodies were detected not only in the sera of affected humans but also in their contacts. Detection of antibodies in young individuals from endemic area, who were neither vaccinated for smallpox nor had any contact with buffaloes or history of any poxvirus disease, is suggestive of occurrence of subclinical infection. A few children who had no contact with infected animals also showed clinical manifestations with disseminated lesions on the face, arm and buttocks, and thus suspected to have acquired infection through their infected parents or other family members indicating a possible man to man transmission. Therefore, in the light of discontinuation of smallpox vaccination, buffalopox outbreaks need to be monitored carefully as this may emerge as a serious zoonotic disease in India.

Experimental studies on the vector potential of certain Culex species to West Nile virus.

Experimental studies were carried out to determine the vector potential of four species of mosquitoes to West Nile (WN) virus, viz. Culex tritaeniorhynchus, Cx. vishnui, Cx. bitaeniorhynchus and Cx. univittatus. All the four species of mosquitoes successfully transmitted and supported the growth of WN virus. The study indicated that the four species of mosquitoes could act as potential vectors of WN virus in nature.

Activity of dengue-2 virus and prevalence of Aedes aegypti in the Chirimiri colliery area, Madhya Pradesh, India.

Repeated outbreaks of a suspected viral fever in Chirimiri colliery area, Madhya Pradesh were reported since 1990. The area consists of an agglomeration of sprawling settlements at varying altitudes of 816 to 890 m and it has partial sylvan cover. During a 1992 outbreak 25 patients' sera were tested, of which 13 showed seropositivity to dengue (DEN) by MAC-ELISA test; DEN-2 was isolated from Aedes aegypti collected from two of the eight settlements of the area. The principal vector, Ae. aegypti, was prevalent in all the settlements studied; Breteau indices (BI) varied between 2.5 and 125.0; adult house indices (AHI) between 0 and 60.0%; Ae. albopictus and Ae. vittatus occurred in considerable numbers; Ae. aegypti bred in more containers with nonpotable water than those with potable water; the breeding of this species was noted in a maximum number of cement tanks while mud pots were predominant among the available containers. Paired comparisons between relative prevalence indices showed significant correlation and regression coefficients. Significant association of Ae. aegypti breeding with the households having tap water supply was noted, the relative risk declining with the people's use of well water either exclusively or in combination with other sources of water supply. It was also collected in the nonresidential areas. The role of ecological factors in the maintenance and spread of Ae. aegypti and dengue in these settlements is discussed.

Hemorrhagic manifestations and encephalopathy in cases of dengue in India.

Thirty-seven serum samples and five serum-CSF pairs collected from 42 acutely ill patients admitted to hospitals in Maharashtra (Bombay, Pune and Nasik); Orissa (Raurkela) and South Goa were referred to the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune (Maharashtra, India) for serodiagnosis. These patients had clinical manifestations of fever, hemorrhagic manifestations, hepatomegaly, shock syndrome and encephalopathy. Sixty-six percent of patients were children below ten years of age. Serological investigations revealed infection to dengue virus in all the patients as indicated in detection of IgM antibodies predominantly to dengue viral antigens. An important outcome of the study is that 10 patients referred to NIV with a provisional diagnosis of viral encephalitis proved to be dengue.

Low prevalence of hepatitis C viral infection in patients with non-alcoholic chronic liver disease in India.

To investigate the prevalence and profile of chronic liver disease due to hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) infection in patients with non-alcoholic chronic liver disease in North India, 148 biopsy proven patients (73 with a history of transfusion and 75 non-transfused) were studied. Detection of hepatitis B included HBsAg, AntiHBc, and HBV DNA testing. Presence of HCV infection was investigated by EIA using second generation tests and confirmed by RIBA III and HCV RNA testing. Eighty three (56.1%) patients had cirrhosis related to hepatitis B, 13 (15.7%) of them had precore (HBeAg -ve, HBVDNA +ve) and 11 (13%) had surface (HBsAg-ve, IgM antiHBc-ve, HBVDNA +ve) mutation. Antibodies to HCV were found in 16 (10.8%) patients. Dual infection with HBV and HCV was seen in 20 (13.5%) patients. Twenty nine (19.5%) patients, had cryptogenic cirrhosis as none of the markers for HBV or HCV infection was positive. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that HBV was the most prevalent viral infection associated with chronic liver disease patients in North India. Prevalence of HCV infection was low. Studies to detect HBV mutants and other viruses should be done in patients with suspected cryptogenic cirrhosis of the liver.

Emerging viral infections with special reference to India.

An emerging viral infection may be a totally new disease with undescribed symptomatology as it was in the case of Kyasanur forest disease in Karnataka, but more often it is an introduction of a known or little known disease in an area where the disease did not occur earlier e.g. yellow fever in Kenya or Rift valley fever in Egypt. The virus may show altered degree of virulence due to many changing factors as in the case of the different haemorrhagic fevers. Many factors may contribute to the emergence of viral infections which may be genetic exchanges or mutations; adaptation to new hosts or vectors; and changed social patterns of humans like urbanization, rapid transport, trade, migration of people or of vectors, strain on civic facilities or changing moral values and life-styles. Large scale changes in ecology due to global warming, deforestation or afforestation, building of dams or canals, changed agricultural practices, rearing of livestock or birds may also contribute to emergence of viral diseases. A number of emergent virus infections relatively important to India have been discussed. To combat emergent virus infections, a comprehensive strategy needs to be evolved. A national viral surveillance system needs to be established. Epidemiology of virus diseases needs to be studied in depth. Development of diagnostic reagents and their supply to investigating centres, a Central serum bank, and a virus respository are important factors. Research and development on viruses, as regards the epidemiology, diagnosis, pathogenesis and vaccinology of virus infections need to be strengthened. An international network of databases of virus infections needs to be instituted. A global network for the diagnosis and containment of emerging viral diseases is advocated.