Impact of sand organic carbon and climatic changes on the population density and morphometric characters of Emerita asiatica in the East Coast of Southern India

A population density of Emerita asiatica in relation to sand organic carbon in the Nemmeli beach, East coast, Kanchipuram District of Tamil Nadu was studied. Specimens were collected once in a fortnight from April 2017 to March 2018 by hand picking method in the intertidal region of Nemmeli beach. The total sand organic carbon level was recorded once in a fortnight. The population presented a smaller incidence of males in relation to females (48.66:51.34); however, in May 2017 an inverse pattern occurred (73:27). Ovigerous females were present in all samples with greater frequencies in October and November 2017 whereas, the highest juveniles were present in May and September 2017. The variation noted in a population of Emerita asiatica showed there is a relationship to sand organic carbon fluctuations; it can be determined that the sand organic carbon fluctuations have an influence on the population density of this species in Nemmeli beach. Hence, the rather stable sand organic carbon throughout the year and moderate changes in the sand may well be conducive to population biology of Emerita asiatica

Association of interleukin‑28B rs12979860 and rs8099917 polymorphisms with sustained viral response in hepatitis C virus genotype 1 and 3 infected patients from the Indian subcontinent.

Background: Polymorphisms of the IL28B gene (rs12979860 and rs8099917) have been shown to impact treatment responses in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected patients. The association of these polymorphisms with sustained viral response (SVR) has been studied in HCV genotype 3 infected patients in India, but not in genotype 1. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the association of IL28B gene polymorphisms and other host and viral factors with treatment response in patients with HCV genotype 1 and 3 infection. Materials and Methods: DNA from 42 HCV‑infected patients on antiviral therapy was analysed for the IL28B polymorphisms using polymerase chain reaction‑restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‑RFLP). Bidirectional sequencing was performed on a subset of samples for verification of PCR‑RFLP results. Information on age, weight, height, diabetic status, pre‑treatment viral load and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels was obtained from clinical records. The IL28B genotypes and the other factors were analysed for their association with SVR. Results: The frequency distribution of rs12979860 CC/CT/TT genotypes was found to be 66.7%, 26.2% and 7.1%, respectively. For rs8099917 genotype, the TT/GT/GG distribution was 73.8%, 21.4% and 4.8%, respectively. SVR was seen in 61.9% of cases (55.6% in genotype 1 and 62.5% in genotype 3). CC genotype at rs12979860 and TT genotype at rs8099917 were significantly higher in responders (P = 0.013 and 0.042, respectively). Lower baseline ALT and rapid viral response were also found to be associated with SVR. On logistic regression analysis, CC genotype at rs12979860 emerged as the most powerful predictor of treatment response. Conclusion: IL28B polymorphisms are strong predictors of SVR in patients from the Indian subcontinent infected with HCV genotype 3 and genotype 1.

Mother to child transmission of hepatitis B virus: A cause for concern.

Mother to child transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is an important public health issue. India introduced HBV vaccine in 10 states as part of its Universal Immunization Program (UIP). Here we show evidence of mother-to-child transmission of HBV in three families from Jharkhand and Bihar states where HBV vaccination is not yet included in the UIP. This report illustrates the need for active screening of HBV in pregnant women and implementation of HBV vaccine across all states in India to reduce the burden of disease.

Effect of temperature on the population of Emerita asiatica (H. Milne Edwards, 1837) in the Kovalam beach, East coast, Tamilnadu, India.

Effect of temperature on the population of sand crab, Emerita asiatica was studied. Specimens were collected once in a fort night from April 2012 to March 2013 by hand picking method in the intertidal region of Kovalam beach. The temperatures of atmosphere, sea water and wet sand were recorded once in a fortnight. The population presented a smaller incidence of males in relation to females (54.79:45.21); however in September 2012 an inverse pattern occurred (29.50:70.50). Ovigerous females were present in all samples with greater frequencies in September and October 2012 where as the highest juveniles were present in May and August 2012.

Genotypes of hepatitis C virus in the Indian sub-continent: A decade-long experience from a tertiary care hospital in South India.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a leading cause of chronic liver disease (CLD) that can progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Genotypes of HCV can vary in pathogenicity and can impact on treatment outcome. Objectives: To study the different genotypes among patients with HCV related CLD attending a tertiary care hospital in south India during 2002-2012. Study Design: Study subjects were those referred to clinical virology from the liver clinic. Genotyping was performed using the genotype specifi c core primers in nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR), 5′ non-coding regions based PCR- restriction fragment length polymorphism and NS5B sequencing methods. With the latter method, obtained sequences were compared with published GenBank sequences to determine the genotype. Results: Of the 451 samples tested, HCV genotype 3 was found to be the most predominant (63.85%). Other genotypes detected were genotype 1 (25.72%), genotype 2 (0.002%), genotype 4 (7.5%) and genotype 6 (2.7%). Genotype 3 was the common genotype in patients from Eastern India while genotype 1 and 4 were mainly seen in South Indian patients. Genotype 6 was seen exclusively in patients from North-Eastern India. Two other patients were infected with recombinants of genotype 1 and 2. Conclusions: In this study spanning a decade, HCV genotype 3 and genotype 1 were found to be the predominant genotypes in the Indian sub-continent. Genotype 4 and genotype 6 appeared to show some geographic restriction. A continued monitoring of HCV genotypes is essential for the optimum management of these chronically infected patients. In addition, knowledge of circulating genotypes could impact on future vaccine formulations.

Cinnamaldehyde induces behavioral and biochemical changes in the male albino wistar rat

Cinnamaldehyde [CNMA] is a widely consumed food flavoring. In addition, it is also used as an antiseptic and an antiallergic drug and as a tonic in traditional Chinese medicines. Certain behavioral parameters were carried out in this study to evaluate the effect of CNMA on rats. Rats were given CNMA orally by gavage at the dose levels of 2.14, 6.96, 22.62 and 73.5mg/kg body weight/day for the period of 10, 30 or 90 days. Only the group of rats treated with CNMA at the dose of 73.5 mg/kg body weight/day for 90 days showed significant changes in the olfactory discrimination, auditory startle response and negative geotaxis behavior. No treatment related impairment of cliff avoidance behavior was noted. Thus, CNMA has an effect on the neuromuscular system. This is evident from changes in acetyl cholinesterase [AChE] and creatine kinase [CK] activities in the serum of these rats. Further examination of non-enzymatic and enzymatic antioxidants and also thiobarbituric acid reactive substances [TBARS] in the serum showed CNMA induced oxidative stress that resulted in the behavioral changes of these rats. From this study, we can conclude that the oxidative stress induced by CNMA has an effect on rat behavior and its effect is time and dose dependent