Preparedness for malaria elimination in the wake of climate change in the State of Uttarakhand (India).

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Climate change is an emerging issue particularly in the context of vector-borne diseases. A study was undertaken in Nainital and Almora districts of Uttarakhand to provide evidences of changing climatic conditions, abundance of vectors, and knocking of malaria in hilly areas. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Longitudinal data on temperature and relative humidity were procured from Tussar Silk Centre, Bhimtal, India as well as generated using HOBO device. Monthly density of malaria vectors, their positivity for sporozoite proteins of malaria parasite and fever surveys were conducted as per the standard procedures from 2010 to 2013. Epidemiological data were procured from the State Programme Officer of Uttarakhand state. RESULTS: It was found that the temperature has increased since 1990 resulting in extension in windows of malaria transmission, temporal distribution as well as man hour density of Anopheles culicifacies and An. fluviatilis in hilly districts of Uttarakhand state. Both the vectors were found in high density up to a maximum man hour density of 110 (An. culicifacies) and 69 (An. fluviatilis) as compared to 32 and 33, respectively during 1998. The field collected vector species were also found positive for sporozoite proteins of malaria parasites in the month of October and November. Evidence of occurrence of malaria cases was also found in areas hitherto free from malaria. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: The findings reveal that Himalayan region needs attention to strengthen surveillance for malaria to identify emerging new foci of malaria transmission in view of climate change. Health education to communities about preventive measures to contain breeding of vectors and seeking timely treatment should be imparted so as to achieve the goal of malaria elimination in category-1 in the first instance.

Implementation of prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV programme through private hospitals of Delhi--policy implications.

In India, programme for prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV is primarily implemented through public health system. State AIDS Control Societies (SACSs) encourage private hospitals to set up integrated counselling and testing centres (ICTCs). However, private hospitals of Delhi did not set up ICTCs. Consequently, there is no information on PMTCT interventions in private hospitals of Delhi. This study was undertaken by Delhi SACS during March 2013 through September 2013 to assess status of implementation of PMTCT programme in various private hospitals of Delhi to assist programme managers in framing national policy to facilitate uniform implementation of National PMTCT guidelines. Out of total 575 private hospitals registered with Government of Delhi, 336 (58.4%) catering to pregnant women were identified. About 100 private hospitals with facility of antenatal care, vaginal/caesarean delivery and postnatal care and minimum 10 indoor beds were selected for study. Study sample comprised of large corporate hospitals (≥100 beds; n = 29), medium-sized hospitals (25 to <100 beds; n = 42) and small nursing homes (10 to <25 beds; n = 29). A pre-tested questionnaire was designed to obtain basic information about hospital in context to PMTCT programme. Interviews of heads of obstetrics and gynaecology and paediatric departments were conducted by trained interviewers. It was observed that in private hospitals in year 2012, out of 38,186 antenatal women tested, 52 (0.14%) were detected HIV-positive. However, against National Policy, HIV testing was done without pre/post-test counselling/or consent of women, no PMTCT protocol existed, delivery of HIV-positive women was not undertaken and no efforts were made to link HIV-positive women to antiretroviral treatment. Major intervention observed was medical termination of pregnancy, which indicates lack of awareness in private hospitals about available interventions under national programme. The role of private hospitals in management of HIV in pregnant women must be recognized and mainstreamed in HIV control efforts. There is an urgent need for capacity building of private health care providers to improve standards of practice. National AIDS Control Organization may consider establishing linkages or adopting model developed by some countries with generalized epidemic for delivering PMTCT services in private health sector.

Anti-malarial activity of some xanthones isolated from the roots of Andrographis paniculata.

Four xanthones were isolated from the roots of Andrographis paniculata using a combination of column and thin-layer chromatographic methods. They were characterized as (i) 1,8-di-hydroxy-3,7-dimethoxy-xanthone, (ii) 4,8-dihydroxy-2,7-dimethoxy-xanthone, (iii) 1,2-dihydroxy-6,8-dimethoxy-xanthone and (iv) 3,7,8-trimethoxy-1-hydroxy xanthone by IR, MS and NMR spectroscopic methods. In vitro study revealed that compound 1,2-dihydroxy-6,8-dimethoxy-xanthone possessed substantial anti-plasmodial activity against Plasmodium falciparum with its IC(50) value of 4 microg ml(-1). Xanthones bearing hydroxyl group at 2 position demonstrated most potent activity while xanthones with hydroxyl group at 1,4 or 8 position possessed very low activity. In vivo anti-malarial sensitivity test of this compound on Swiss Albino mice with Plasmodium berghei infection using Peters' 4-day test gave substantial reduction (62%) in parasitaemia after treating the mice with 30 mg kg(-1) dose. In vitro cytotoxicity against mammalian cells revealed that 1,2-dihydroxy-6,8-dimethoxy-xanthone is non-cytotoxic with its IC(50) > 32 microg ml(-1).

A double-pulsar system: a rare laboratory for relativistic gravity and plasma physics.

The clocklike properties of pulsars moving in the gravitational fields of their unseen neutron-star companions have allowed unique tests of general relativity and provided evidence for gravitational radiation. We report here the detection of the 2.8-second pulsar J0737-3039B as the companion to the 23-millisecond pulsar J0737-3039A in a highly relativistic double neutron star system, allowing unprecedented tests of fundamental gravitational physics. We observed a short eclipse of J0737-3039A by J0737-3039B and orbital modulation of the flux density and the pulse shape of J0737-3039B, probably because of the influence of J0737-3039A's energy flux on its magnetosphere. These effects will allow us to probe magneto-ionic properties of a pulsar magnetosphere.

An increased estimate of the merger rate of double neutron stars from observations of a highly relativistic system.

The merger of close binary systems containing two neutron stars should produce a burst of gravitational waves, as predicted by the theory of general relativity. A reliable estimate of the double-neutron-star merger rate in the Galaxy is crucial in order to predict whether current gravity wave detectors will be successful in detecting such bursts. Present estimates of this rate are rather low, because we know of only a few double-neutron-star binaries with merger times less than the age of the Universe. Here we report the discovery of a 22-ms pulsar, PSR J0737-3039, which is a member of a highly relativistic double-neutron-star binary with an orbital period of 2.4 hours. This system will merge in about 85 Myr, a time much shorter than for any other known neutron-star binary. Together with the relatively low radio luminosity of PSR J0737-3039, this timescale implies an order-of-magnitude increase in the predicted merger rate for double-neutron-star systems in our Galaxy (and in the rest of the Universe).

Antifungal activity of the stem bark of Ailanthus excelsa.

The methanol extract of stem barks of Alianthus excelsa was partitioned with chloroform. The chloroform extract showed fungistatic and fungicidal activity against Aspergillus niger, A. fumigatus, Penicillium frequentence, P. notatum and Botrytis cinerea.

Synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of triazolo derivatives of 8-amino-10,11-dihydro-dibenzo[b,e]1,4-thiazepine-11-one.

In the present communication, the syntheses, characterization and pharmacological evaluation of 8-amino-(1,2,4)-triazolo[4,3-d][b,e]1,4-dibenzothiazepine (4) and its various substituted analogs (6-9) are reported.

A review of medicinal plants showing anticonvulsant activity.

The term epilepsy is collectively designated for a group of chronic central nervous system disorders characterized by spontaneous occurrence of seizures generally associated with the loss of consciousness and body movements (convulsions). The disease has its origin from an early age. Anticonvulsant drugs are used to control the convulsions by inhibiting the discharge and then producing hypnosis. Various synthetic drugs, viz. sodium diphenyl hydantoin (Dialtin) barbiturates, pyrimidon, succinamides, diazepines etc. are used for the treatment. In this paper various medicinal plants and plant components, which are being used as anticonvulsant and antiepileptic, are discussed.

Synthesis and pharmacological studies of 2'-sulphonyl[3-(3H-2,4-disubstituted-1,5-benzodiazepino)]-2,5-dimethyl-6,7-benzomorphans.

2'-Sulphonyl[3-(3H-2,4-dimethyl-1,5-benzodiazepino)]-2,5-dimethyl-6,7-ben zomorphan (3a), 2'-sulfonyl[3-(3H-2 methyl-4-phenyl-1,5-benzodiazepino)]-2,5-dimethyl-6,7-benzomorphan (3b) and 2'-sulfonyl [3-(3H-2-methyl-4-oxo-5H-1.5-benzodiazepino)]-2,5-dimethyl-6,7-benzomorphan (3c), synthesized from 2,5-dimethyl-6,7-benzomorphan (1) in three steps via chlorosulphonation, condensation with sodium salt of acetylacetone, benzoylacetone and ethyl acetoacetate separately and condensation with o-phenylenediamine, were studied for their pharmacological activities. It was found that 3a has mild CNS depressant, analgesic and anticonvulsant (against petit mal type of seizures) activities. 3b has significant anti-depressant and mild analgesic activities while 3c has CNS depressant, mild analgesic and anticonvulsant activities (against petitmal type seizures).

Monosomic analysis of genes for resistance against stem rust races in bread wheat.

Using monosomic analysis genes governing resistance in one wheat variety, 'E5883', against stem rust races 15C and 122, were located on specific chromosomes. Against race 15C, a major dominant gene, Sr6, was located on chromosome 2D of 'E5883' with minor modifiers found on chromosomes 4A and 6D. Against race 122, the presence of a recessive hemizygous ineffective gene, Sr8, was identified, located on chromosome 6A of variety 'E5883'.

Effect of mercury compounds on cholineacetyl transferase.

Methylmercury poisoning exhibit prominent signs and symptoms of the central nervous system. In an attempt to study the mechanism of toxicity, mercuric chloride (HgCl2) and methyl mercury chloride (CH3HgCl) were given orally by gavage and through drinking water to male albino rats. Rats were sacrificed at appropriate time and brain and diaphragm were analyzed for cholineacetyltransferase (ChAT) activity, and also examined histopathologically. Both HgCl2 and CH3HgCl given orally by gavage significantly inhibited ChAT activity which was dose related. CH3HgCl produced greater inhibition than HgCl2. CH3HgCl through drinking water also significantly inhibited brain ChAT, however rats did not drink water containing HgCl2. Both HgCl2 and CH3HgCl also inhibited ChAT when incubated in vitro with rat brain homogenates. Histopathological studies revealed neural degeneration and necrosis in the cerebrum of rats treated with these mercurials. These results indicate the possible involvement of cholinergic system during mercury intoxication.