Strategies for COVID-19 control among migrant labourers in a developing country setting: Pathanamthitta model from Kerala.

BACKGROUND: The ongoing pandemic of Covid-19 is a public health emergency with serious implications world-wide including India. Vulnerable population like migrants are often left out of epidemic preparedness planning and reaching out these marginalized population is a challenge. OBJECTIVE: To describe different strategies implemented for control and prevention of Covid-19 among migrants in Pathanamthitta. RESULTS: Strategies for Covid-19 control among migrant labourers were planned and implemented with intersectoral coordination and community participation. Line listing and risk stratification, mobilisation of community volunteers, contactless active symptomatic surveillance using technology, IEC activities for awareness generation in multiple languages, sample collection, testing and distribution of personal protective equipment's were initially implemented. Setting up of a call centre facility assisted with M health technology exclusively for addressing concerns of migrants was first and one of its kind in the country. In addition to that special measures were taken to improve adherence and wellbeing of migrants which included addressing medical needs of migrants including psychological needs, ensuring food security, migrant hostels for the providing shelter, basic health care, isolation facilities and arranging transportation facilities for more than 10,000 stranded migrants. The success of these strategies was evident from the fact that not even a single migrant labourer was tested positive in the district during this period. CONCLUSION: Pathanamthitta district being in a resource constraint setting showed a very effective model by implementing technology assisted strategies tailored to the needs of population.The success of these highly effective and replicable strategy underlines the need to incorporate principles of primary health care in crisis management.

Molecular cobalt corrole complex for the heterogeneous electrocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide.

Electrochemical conversion of CO2 to alcohols is one of the most challenging methods of conversion and storage of electrical energy in the form of high-energy fuels. The challenge lies in the catalyst design to enable its real-life implementation. Herein, we demonstrate the synthesis and characterization of a cobalt(III) triphenylphosphine corrole complex, which contains three polyethylene glycol residues attached at the meso-phenyl groups. Electron-donation and therefore reduction of the cobalt from cobalt(III) to cobalt(I) is accompanied by removal of the axial ligand, thus resulting in a square-planar cobalt(I) complex. The cobalt(I) as an electron-rich supernucleophilic d8-configurated metal centre, where two electrons occupy and fill up the antibonding dz2 orbital. This orbital possesses high affinity towards electrophiles, allowing for such electronically configurated metals reactions with carbon dioxide. Herein, we report the potential dependent heterogeneous electroreduction of CO2 to ethanol or methanol of an immobilized cobalt A3-corrole catalyst system. In moderately acidic aqueous medium (pH = 6.0), the cobalt corrole modified carbon paper electrode exhibits a Faradaic Efficiency (FE%) of 48 % towards ethanol production.

AIDS associated Kaposi's sarcoma.

Epidemic Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is the most common malignant neoplasm occuring in HIV patients. Although the prevalence of HIV infection is high in Asian countries, KS is rarely reported. We report a case of fatal KS involving the skin and mucous membranes in a homosexual male.

Identification of RAPD markers linked to digestive amylase genes using near isogenic lines of the silkworm, Bombyx mori.

Digestive amylase has been identified as a useful marker for breeding in the silkwrom, Bombyx mori L (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae), due to its wide genetic divergence, its role in better digestibility and robustness. The low yielding indigenous B. mori breeds of tropics like India are characterized by high activity amylase genes controlled by Amy d(iv) or d(v) alleles, while the high yielding breeds of temperate origin are endowed with 'null' type (Amy d(n)) with low activity. For improving the digestibility and survival of temperate breeds of Japanese origin, Near Isogenic Lines (NILs) were developed introgressing the Amy d(iv) and d(v) alleles from the Donor Parents (DPs) into the genetic background of the Recurrent Parents (RPs) with 'null' type of amylase, which showed significant improvement in viability of the NILs. With the objective to know whether the amylase gene itself may confer higher survival by improving digestibility or some other closely linked genes flanking the amylase locus is responsible for better viability of the NILs, RAPD profiles among six B. mori breeds comprising of the DPs, RPs, and NILs developed through introgression of Amy d(iv) or d(v) alleles were analysed using 27 sets of RAPD primers. Out of the 27 primers, six (OPA01, OPA06, OPA09, OPA15, OPAH03, and OPAH05) showed RAPD products linked to the amylase genes of the DPs introgressed in the NILs, which were absent in their respective RPs. Three amplicons of 1584 bp, 1904 bp, and 1232 bp were specific to Amy d(iv) allele and one amplified product of 1776 bp was found to be linked with the Amy d(v) allele. Interestingly, two PCR products of 2628 and 1375 bp were associated with both Amy d(iv) and d(v) alleles. The results are discussed in light of further characterization of these amplified products leading to identification of DNA sequences that may be responsible for better digestibility and higher survival in B. mori.

Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis: a treatable neurodegenerative disease.

Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis is one of the rare forms of treatable hereditary neurodegenerative disorders. It is due to a defect in hydroxylation of cholesterol side chain that impairs oxidative cleavage of cholesterol leading to excess accumulation of cholesterol. Here we present such a case which presented to us with recurrent generalized tonic clonic seizures. He is under treatment for the same and has not neurologically deteriorated since then.

Variation of pKa in the N-terminal tyrosine side chain in octapeptide analogs of tendamistat influences alpha-amylase inhibition.

Peptide analogs of tendamistat were synthesized and analyzed for alpha-amylase inhibitory activity. The pK(a) of the N-terminal tyrosine was modified by incorporation of ring-substituted analogs, which alters hydrogen bonding capacity. K(i) values ranging from 70 to 524 microM generally increased with increasing pK(a), indicating a necessity for H-bond donor ability.

Morphology of the integumentary structures in the nymph of lace bug, Stephanitis typica (Hemiptera: Tingidae).

The nymphs of the lace bug Stephanitis typica possess unsegmented, slender, integumentary processes. They are arranged chiefly in three rows on the mid-dorsal and lateral sides. The surface ultrastructure of the integumentary process reveals three types of sensilla, namely, companiform sensilla at the tip of the integumentary process having a probable proprioceptive function, oar-shaped wind and gravity sensilla, and pegs supposed to be hygroscopic.

A brain peptide stimulates release of amylase from the midgut tissue of larvae of Opisina arenosella Walk. (Lepidoptera: Cryptophasidae).

Brain extracts from 3 to 4 day old final (eighth) instar larvae of Opisina arenosella (Lepidoptera) stimulate amylase release from midgut preparations maintained in vitro. This effect of the brain extract was both time and dose dependent. The brain factor stimulating enzyme release may be a peptide as it is heat stable and susceptible to treatment with proteolytic enzymes. For purification of the brain factor, a head extract prepared in 2% NaCl was first precipitated in 80% aqueous acetone and then fractionated by DEAE cellulose ion exchange chromatography. The fraction OCF(2), from ion exchange chromatography was further purified on a Sephadex G25 column. The fraction designated as OCF(2.3) obtained by gel filtration showed maximum activity and it was selected for HPLC analysis. HPLC elution profiles of OCF(2.3) showed two major peaks separated by a time interval of 0.107 min. The two overlapping peaks of OCF(2.3) may represent either different forms of a peptide or different peptides of a family. The molecular weight OCF(2.3) was estimated to be 1070 Da.

In vitro release of digestive enzymes by FMRF amide related neuropeptides and analogues in the lepidopteran insect Opisina arenosella (Walk.).

The insect neuropeptides FMRF amide, leucomyosupressin (LMS) and neuropeptide analogues leucosulfakinins (FLSK and LSK II Ser (SO(3)H)), perisulfakinin (PSK), proleucosulfakinin (PLSK), 14A[phi1]WP-I, 542phi1, and 378A[5b]WP-I were assayed for their effects on the release of amylase and protease from the midgut tissue of larvae of Opisina arenosella. In the bioassay, empty midgut tubes ligated at both ends using hair were incubated with insect saline containing neuropeptides/analogues in a bioassay apparatus at 37 degrees C for 30 min. After incubation the contents of the midgut preparations were analyzed for amylase and protease activity. In control experiments, the midgut preparations were incubated in insect saline without neuropeptides. The results of the study reveal that for stimulating amylase release from midgut tissue, the peptides require an FXRF amide (X may be methionine or leucine) sequence at the C-terminal. The presence of HMRF amide at C-terminal of peptides may inhibit the release of amylase. Meanwhile, peptides with both FMRF and HMRF amide sequence at the C-terminal are found to be effective in stimulating protease release. The tetrapeptide segment at the C-terminal probably represent the active core of the neuropeptide.

Inhibition of digestive enzyme release by neuropeptides in larvae of Opisina arenosella (Lepidoptera: Cryptophasidae).

Leucokinins are a group of structurally related neuropeptides stimulating gut motility and fluid secretion by Malpighian tubule in insects. For studying effect of neuropeptides on digestive enzyme release, empty midgut tubes of larvae of Opisina arenosella ligated at both ends with hair were incubated with Leucokinins (LK I-VIII), LK analogues and Leucopyrokinin (LPK) in a bioassay apparatus at 37 degrees C for 30 min. The lumen contents were subsequently analyzed for digestive enzyme levels. The neuropeptides LK III, FFSWG amide, 122 A[1] WP-2, LPK and 434 [phi2] WP-1 inhibited the release of digestive enzymes, protease and amylase while LK VIII, unique in having tyrosine residue, stimulated protease release. The minimum sequence of amino acids at the C-terminal required for activity of LK peptides was found to be FXSWGamide (X=Asn, His, Ser, or Trp). The N-terminal pyroglutamate residue and proline at the C-terminal may contribute to the inhibitory effect of LPK on digestive enzyme release. The present study reveals for the first time an inhibitory effect for leucokinins and pyrokinin on the release of digestive enzymes from the insect midgut.

Morphogenetic responses of six Philodendron cultivars in vitro.

In vitro morphogenic response of nodal explants from six cultivars of Philodendron viz, blue mistic, painted lady, pink prince, pluto, royal queen and green emperor was studied. Frequency and number of shoot formation depend on the cultivars and concentration of BAP. High frequency and number of shoot formation were obtained w hen the nodal explants were cultured in Nitsch medium supplemented with BAP (6.8-11.8 microM), sucrose (2%) and agar (0.45%), initially in the dark for 8-10 weeks followed by 16 hr photoperiod. Regenerated shoots were rooted on medium without growth regulators. After two weeks of hardening, rooted and rootless shoots were established in the soil with more than 90 and 65% survival rates respectively, while the unhardened plantlets showed a much lower percentage (20%) establishment. A standard protocol for the rapid multiplication of Philodendron is presented.