Genetic variability in geographical populations of Culex quinquefasciatus Say (Diptera: Culicidae) from India based on random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis.

Genetic variability and environmental factors may influence the refractiveness, propagation of pathogen and transmission of disease. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) is one of the widely used molecular markers for population genetic diversity studies. In present study, RAPD is used to ascertain the genetic variability in Culex quinquefasciatus populations collected from various Indian geographical locations. Out of 50 RAPD primers screened, 14 primers exhibited clear, concrete and distinct banding pattern showing up to 100% polymorphism. Primer OPBD3 was tested with DNA of 14 geographical populations from India (including one laboratory population) showed 21 loci representing 14 populations with 100% polymorphism. The genetic diversity among the populations indicated the Shannon index (I) and gene diversity index (H(ST)), 0.48 and 0.31, respectively among the population, displaying rich genetic variation among the Cx. quinquefasciatus populations. Consensus tree showed two clusters indicating the genetic variation among the various geographical populations. The findings of this study may be useful to understand the population variation under different ecological conditions and development of effective vector management strategies.

Oviposition responses of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus to certain fatty acid esters.

Laboratory studies were carried out to observe the oviposition responses of Aedes aegypti (L.) and Aedes albopictus (Skuse) to several C21 fatty acid esters. The oviposition activity of these dengue and chikungunya vectors to the long-chain fatty acid esters of C21 length have not been reported earlier. From the multiple choice experiments on oviposition activity in standard mosquito cages, it was observed that compounds hexadecyl pentanoate, tetradecyl heptanoate and tridecyl octanoate presented significant oviposition repellent activity against the two mosquito species, while one compound propyl octadecanoate was found to attract A. aegypti to the treated oviposition substrate at 1- and 10-ppm concentrations. The possible utilization of these esters in integrated vector management is discussed.

Knowledge and practice of mothers regarding pulse polio immunization in National Capital Territory of Delhi.

PIP: Poliomyelitis continues to be a major public health problem in India leading to high morbidity and mortality among children under age 5 years. To address this problem, pulse polio immunization (PPI) on two National Immunization Days was conducted in the country in 1995. This paper presents findings of a study that was conducted in the National Capital Territory of Delhi to examine mothers' knowledge regarding PPI and routine Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) immunization schedule and their practice regarding the availing of its services. A total of 481 mothers participated in the study. Findings showed that 97.7% of mothers were aware of this special poliomyelitis vaccination program, while 2.3% were unaware of it. 75% of mothers correctly reported the age group of children receiving OPV to be less than 3 years, while 11% reported that it was being given to all age groups. Moreover, awareness of mothers regarding some aspects of routine OPV immunization was very low. 43% of mothers had incorrect knowledge regarding age of initiation of OPV, and 68% had incorrect knowledge regarding the number of primary doses of OPV. Given the consistently high coverage of the three primary doses of OPV in Delhi, these findings could be explained on the basis of poor emphasis of information, education, and communication activities in routine functioning by health professionals and paramedical workers.^ieng

Prevention of atheromatous heart disease.

Five thousand patients of atheromatous heart disease, presented as angina pectoris, were studied over a period of five years. After adding the 'Husk of Isabgol' and 'aloe vera' (an indigenous plant known as ghee-guar-ka-paththa) to the diet, a marked reduction in total serum cholesterol, serum triglycerides, fasting and post prandial blood sugar level in diabetic patients, total lipids and also increase in HDL were noted. Simultaneously the clinical profile of these patients showed reduction in the frequency of anginal attacks and gradually, the drugs, like verapamil, nifedipine, beta-blockers and nitrates, were tapered. The patients, most benefitted, were diabetics (without adding any antidiabetic drug). The exact mechanism of the action of the above two substances is not known, but it appears, that probably they act by their high fibre contents. Both these substances need further evaluation. The most interesting aspect of the study was that no untoward side effect was noted and all the five thousand patients are surviving till date.

Purification and partial characterization of an erythroagglutinin from the hemolymph of scorpion, Heterometrus bengalensis.

An erythroagglutinin from the hemolymph of the scorpion, Heterometrus bengalensis, has been purified by gel filtration and ion-exchange chromatography. Its homogeneity has been demonstrated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The purified agglutinin appears to be a monomeric protein having a possible molecular weight between 146,000 and 148,000. It has no divalent cation requirement for erythroagglutination. The erythroagglutination is not inhibited by saccharides, glycoproteins and mucin. Identical erythroagglutination pattern is obtained with normal as well as neuraminidase treated erythrocytes.

Nature of the beta-adrenoreceptors in the tracheal smooth muscle of the adult pig.

Relaxant responses to isoprenaline (ISO), adrenaline (ADR) and noradrenaline (NA) were investigated on carbachol-contracted, isolated tracheal smooth muscle preparations of the adult pig to determine the nature of the beta-adrenoreceptors present. The order of relaxant potencies of the catecholamines on this preparation was ISO greater than ADR greater than NA. The potency ratio at 37 degrees C was 1:0.06:0.005. This suggests that beta 2-adrenoreceptors predominate in isolated tracheal smooth muscle of the adult pig. Though the order of potency for the above catecholamines did not change, at the lower temperatures of 29 degrees and 33 degrees C, the potency ratios were slightly modified to 1:0.0.98:0.004 and 1:0.07:0.004 respectively. pA2 values on pig tracheal smooth muscle were 8.65 and 9.13 respectively, for the non-selective beta-blockers propranolol and alprenolol, and 5.63, 5.20 and 6.26 respectively, for the beta 1 selective blockers practolol, atenolol and metoprolol and 6.82 for the beta 2 selective beta-blocker, H 35/25. The results suggest the existence and predominance of beta 2-adrenoreceptors in tracheal smooth muscle of the adult pig.

Effect of beta-adrenergic blockers on isolated coronary arterial strip and tracheal smooth muscle of pig.

Isolated coronary arterial strip and tracheal smooth muscle of pig, containing predominantly beta 1- and beta 2-adrenoceptors respectively, have been used for estimating the comparative potency of nine beta-adrenergic blocking agents. The order of potency of the antagonists on the isolated coronary arterial strip was propranolol greater than alprenolol greater than H 64/52 greater than H 64/55 greater than practolol greater than H 87/07 greater than atenolol greater than metoprolol greater than H 35/25, whilst the order of potency on the pig tracheal smooth muscle was alprenolol greater than propranolol greater than H 35/25 greater than H 87/07 greater than H 64/55 greater than H 64/52 greater than metoprolol greater than practolol greater than atenolol. Propranolol and alprenolol were almost equipotent in both the preparations and hence were nonspecific. Although practolol, metoprolol, H 64/55 and H 87/07 were beta 1-selective, their selectivity ratio was comparatively smaller than that of atenolol and H 64/52. The study indicates that H 64/52 and atenolol are the most specific beta-adrenergic blocking agents on isolated coronary arterial strip of pig and that their beta 1/beta 2-ratios are 126 and 120 respectively. H 64/52 like atenolol may be of therapeutic value in cardiovascular disorders.

The anti-inflammatory action of nepitrin, a flavonoid.

The anti-inflammatory efficacy of nepitrin (5,3',4'-trihydroxy-6-methoxy flavone), a flavonoid, was investigated in both acute and chronic models of inflammation in rats. Nepitrin was found to possess significant anti-inflammatory activity in the exudative and proliferative phases of inflammation. This action of nepitrin could be due to its anti-bradykinin and anti-angiotensin action. Nepitrin also possessed anti-pyretic and weak analgesic activity. The study reveals that nepitrin may be useful as an anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic agent.

Effect of norepinephrine on isolated coronary artery of normal and myocardial infarcted pigs.

The effect of norepinephrine, the adrenergic neurotransmitter, on isolated coronary arterial strips of normal and myocardial infarcted pigs was investigated with the view to characterize the nature of adrenoceptors in this tissue. In small, as well as large, isolated coronary arterial strips of normal pigs norepinephrine produced relaxation which was found to be mediated through activation of beta 1-adrenoceptors. While alpha adrenoceptors were also found to be present in large coronary arteries, they were absent in the small coronary arteries. In isolated coronary arterial strips dissected out from pigs in which myocardial infarction was induced, norepinephrine produced contraction, its alpha-adrenergic effect. This could be due to arterial hypoxia and/or sensitization of alpha-receptors present in the coronary artery.