Genetic characterization of Bactrocera fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) from Northeastern India based on DNA barcodes.

The Northeastern region of India, one of the mega biodiversity hot spots has enormous potential for the production of fruits and vegetables. Fruit flies of the genus Bactrocera Macquart are important pests of fruits and vegetables, and one of the limiting factors in successful production of these commodities. The relationship among some of the species is unclear due to their high molecular and morphological similarities. Moreover, due to the significant morphological resemblance between fruit fly species, reliable identification is very difficult task. We genetically characterized 10 fruit fly species of the genus Bactrocera by using standard DNA barcoding region of COI gene. The characterization and identification of eight species were straight forward. This study was unable to establish the molecular identity of Bactrocera sp. 2. Within the 547 bp region of partial COI gene, there were 157 variable sites of which 110 sites were parsimony informative, 153 were synonymous substitutions and 4 were non-synonymous substitutions. The estimate of genetic divergence among the ten species was in the range of 0-21.9% and the pairwise genetic distance of Bactrocera. (Bactrocera) dorsalis (Hendel) with B. (B.) carambolae was only 0.7%. Phylogenetic analysis formed separate clades for fruit and vegetable infesting fruit flies. B. (B.) aethriobasis Hardy, B. (B.) thailandica and B. (B.) tuberculata (Bezzi) have been reported for the first time from the Northeastern India. The information generated from this study would certainly have implications for pest management, taxonomy, quarantine and trade.

Complete mitochondrial genome sequence of a phytophagous ladybird beetle, Henosepilachna pusillanima (Mulsant) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae).

Ladybird beetles are generally considered as agriculturally beneficial insects, but the ladybird beetles in the coleopteran subfamily Epilachninae are phytophagous and major plant feeding pest species which causes severe economic losses to cucurbitaceous and solanaceous crops. Henosepilachna pusillanima (Mulsant) is one of the important pest species of ladybird beetle. In this report, we sequenced and characterized the complete mitochondrial genome of H. pusillanima. For sequencing of the complete mitochondrial genome, we used the Ion Torrent sequencing platform. The complete circular mitochondrial genome of the H. pusillanima was determined to be 16,216 bp long. There were totally 13 protein coding genes, 22 transfer RNA, 2 ribosomal RNA and a control (A + T-rich) region estimated to be 1690 bp. The gene arrangement and orientations of assembled mitogenome were identical to the reported predatory ladybird beetle Coccinella septempunctata L. This is the first completely sequenced coleopteran mitochondrial genome from the beetle subfamily Epilachninae from India. Data generated in this study will benefit future comparative genomics studies for understanding the evolutionary relationships between predatory and phytophagous coccinellid beetles.

Studies on drying and storage of chilgoza (Pinus gerardiana) nuts.

Present studies were undertaken with the aim of screening a suitable mode of drying and packaging material for storage of chilgoza nuts. A temperature of 55 °C was found most suitable for the drying of nuts in cabinet drier. Cabinet drier was found the best drying mode among four for drying of chilgoza nuts on the basis of quality characteristics such as moisture, water activity and sensory attributes. Further, out of five packaging materials selected in the study, glass jar followed by aluminium laminate pouch was found to be suitable for the packing and storage of dried nuts in ambient conditions for 6 months on the basis of retention of better physico-chemical and sensory attributes.

Standardization of pre-treatments for the preparation of dried arils from wild pomegranate.

Pre-treatments for drying of wild pomegranate arils were standardized to check discolouration of dried arils. Steam blanching of arils for 30 s followed by sulphur fumigation at 0.3% for 60 min was found suitable as they took minimum time to dry a given tray load, and had minimum non-enzymatic browning, furfural, hydroxyl methyl furfural and moisture contents. The dried arils of the standardized pre-treatment recorded maximum scores for sensory characteristics like colour, texture, taste, aroma and overall acceptability.

Exposure of the mitral valve by transecting the ascending aorta during aortic and mitral valve replacement.

Combined aortic and mitral valve operations are still considered major cardiac surgical procedures. The duration of aortic cross-clamping and cardiopulmonary bypass is longer, which increases morbidity and mortality for these combined, complicated operations. Aortic valve exposure is generally satisfactory, but mitral valve exposure may be difficult and add to the length of the aortic cross-clamping time. We have exposed the mitral valve by transecting the ascending aorta, and retracting both ends apart, to give direct access through the dome of the left atrium in 7 patients. This approach gave good exposure and did not increase the risk of complications. Exposure of the mitral valve through the left atrium using a superior approach, by transecting the ascending aorta, is a good option for patients with multiple cardiac conditions who are undergoing combined aortic and mitral valve operations.

Congenital calcified, apical aneurysm of the left ventricle in an adult.

A rare case of a congenital, calcified, apical, left ventricular aneurysm in a 30-year-old man with normal coronary arteries is presented. The successful surgical management and the developmental anatomy and pathology of such aneurysms is discussed.

Polychemotherapy in squamous cell carcinoma of the buccal mucosa.

Thirty-nine patients with previously untreated squamous cell carcinoma of the buccal mucosa were treated by two polychemotherapeutic regimens. The first regimen consisted of bleomycin and methotrexate (BLM-MTX): bleomycin 30 mg was given intravenously twice weekly, and methotrexate 25 mg intravenously twice weekly for 2 1/2 and two weeks, respectively. The second program consisted of Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide), methotrexate and 5-FU (CMF): methotrexate 25 mg twice weekly for two weeks, Cytoxan 100 mg/day for two weeks, and 5-FU 500 mg twice weekly for 1 1/2 weeks. All of the patients were evaluated one week after completion of their chemotherapy regimen. Although the patients were not randomly allocated to either treatment, they matched in age and extent of disease. High response rates (88.9%) were noted with the BLM-MTX combination, which is comparable to the best responses reported previously using cis-platinum, Oncovin (vincristine), and methotrexate. This may suggest that buccal cancers are highly sensitive to an initial treatment by BLM-MTX, and therefore the authors highly recommend its use as preoperative adjuvant therapy in patients who present with Stage III and IV (Mo) disease.