First Report of 'Candidatus Phytoplasma solani' (16SrXII-A) Associated with Fox Nut (Euryale ferox Salisb.) Stolbur Disease in India.

Fox nut also known as Gorgon nut, Makhana (Euryale ferox Salisb.) is a high value aquatic crop belonging to the family Nymphaeaceae. In India, it is generally grown in flood prone areas of North Bihar, lower Assam, parts of West Bengal, Odisha, Manipur and Tripura (Jana et al., 2018). India contributes nearly 70-80% of the global fox nut production. During September 2021, a phytoplasma like symptom was noticed on fox nut leaves at Basudeopur Farm of Research Centre for Makhana, Darbhanga, Bihar, India (23° 9' N and 65° 53' E). The characteristic symptom was that some portion of leaf lamina deformed along the veins with wrinkled and raised overgrowth or hypertrophy. The veins were thickened and reddened in the infected leaf area. The infection occurs in petiole as well as in flower stalk. The disease incidence was found as high as 30% which caused severe yield loss which was calculated to be 40% in that particular field. Total of 20 sampled fox nut plants, 10 symptomatic and 10 asymptomatic ones, were collected and tested for the presence of phytoplasma. A nested PCR assay using the phytoplasma universal 16S rRNA primer pairs: P1/P7 followed by R16F2n/R16R2 (J. Jovic et al. 2011) amplified the expected ~1.2-kb 16S rDNA fragment in all 10 symptomatic samples. No amplification was detected from asymptomatic samples. One of the ten 1.2-kb nested 16S rDNA PCR products was gel purified, cloned into the pGEM-T-easy plasmid vector (Promega, Madison, WI), and sequenced and was deposited in NCBI under the Accession no.OL873590. BLAST analysis showed that the sequence of the PCR 16S rDNA product was 100% identical to several GenBank sequences of Ca. P. solani (16SrXII Stolbur group) viz. KF907506. Furthermore, analysis by iPhyClassifier software showed that the virtual restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) pattern of the sequenced PCR 16S rDNA product is identical (similarity coefficient 1.00) to the reference pattern of the 16SrXII-A subgroup. Identification of 'Ca. P. solani' was conducted following the STOL11 stolbur-specific protocol (Radonjic et al. 2009). Sequencing of tuf gene (Elongation factor Tu) was performed by using tuf marker genes (Cvrkovic et al. 2014) from 10 symptomatic and 10 asymptomatic samples. Sequence of the amplified gene (896 bp) was deposited in GenBank under Accession number OM174272. The presence of 'Ca. P. solani' was detected in all symptomatic samples, while all control plants tested negative. The RFLP analysis of tuf gene nested PCR products using HpaII endonuclease (Fermentas) revealed uniform tuf-b type in all positive samples. Nucleotide blast analyses showed that the tuf gene was 100% identical to STOL11 strain of C. P. solani subgroup 16SrXII-A (Accession No JQ797670). For developing a suitable management strategy, identification of the vector is essential. Leaf hoppers visiting the infected plants as well as nearby crop fields will be tested for presence of the phytoplasma. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of Candidatus Phytoplasma solani' (16SrXII-A) infecting Fox nut (Euryale ferox Salisb.) in India. References Cvrkovic et al. 2014. Plant Pathol. 63:42. https://doi.org/10.1111/ppa.12080 Jana, B. R., et al. 2018. Int. J. Curr. Microbiol. App. Sci. 7(12): 578-587. https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2018.712.072 Jovic, J. et al. 2011. B. Insectol. 64:S83. ISI Radonjic, S. et al. 2009. J. Phytopathol. 157:682. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439- 0434.2009.01560.

Efficient passivation of n-type and p-type silicon surface defects by hydrogen sulfide gas reaction.

An efficient surface defect passivation is observed by reacting clean Si in a dilute hydrogen sulfide-argon gas mixture (<5% H2S in Ar) for both n-type and p-type Si wafers with planar and textured surfaces. Surface recombination velocities of 1.5 and 8 cm s-1are achieved on n-type and p-type Si wafers, respectively, at an optimum reaction temperature of 550 °C that are comparable to the best surface passivation quality used in high efficiency Si solar cells. Surface chemical analysis using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy shows that sulfur is primarily bonded in a sulfide environment, and synchrotron-based soft x-ray emission spectroscopy of the adsorbed sulfur atoms suggests the formation of S-Si bonds. The sulfur surface passivation layer is unstable in air, attributed to surface oxide formation and a simultaneous decrease of sulfide bonds. However, the passivation can be stabilized by a low-temperature (300 °C) deposited amorphous silicon nitride (a-Si:NX:H) capping layer.

Performance analysis of newly developed point-of-care hemoglobinometer (TrueHb) against an automated hematology analyzer (Sysmex XT 1800i) in terms of precision in hemoglobin measurement.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of the newly developed handheld hemoglobinmeter (TrueHb) by comparing its performance against and an automated five-part hematology analyzer, Sysmex counter XT 1800i (Sysmex). METHODS: Two hundred venous blood samples were subjected through their total hemoglobin evaluation on each device three times. The average of the three readings on each device was considered as their respective device values, that is, TrueHb values and Sysmex values. The two set of values were comparatively analyzed. The repeatability of the performance of TrueHb was also evaluated against Sysmex values. RESULTS: The scatter plot of TrueHb values and Sysmex values showed linear distribution with positive correlations (r = 0.99). The intraclass correlation (ICC) values between the two set of values was found to be 0.995. Regression coefficients through origin, ß, was found to be 0.995, with 95% confidence intervals (CI) ranging between 0.9900 and 1.0000. The mean difference in Bland-Altman plots of TrueHb values against the Sysmex values was found to be -0.02, with limits of agreement between -0.777 and 0.732 g/dL. Statistical analysis suggested good repeatability in results of TrueHb, having a low mean CV of 2.22, against 4.44, that of Sysmex values, and 95% confidence interval of 1.99-2.44, against 3.85-5.03, that of Sysmex values. CONCLUSION: These results suggested a strong positive correlation between the two measurements devices. It is thus concluded that TrueHb is a good point-of-care testing tool for estimating hemoglobin.

Outbreak of scrub typhus in Andhra Pradesh--experience at a tertiary care hospital.

AIM: To describe the clinical features, laboratory manifestations, complications in patients diagnosed with scrub typhus at a tertiary care hospital in south India. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All cases of acute onset fever diagnosed to have scrub typhus August 2011 to December 2012 were analysed. Cases of scrub typhus confirmed by the well felix test with a titre of 1 in 80 or more and a positive immunochromatography test were studied. RESULTS: 176 confirmed cases of scrub typhus were studied over a period of 18 months. Majority (96%) of patients are from rural background. Farmers constituted 60% of the patients. Most common symptoms were due to the involvement of respiratory tract in the form of cough in 94 (53%) patients followed by breathlessness in 84 (47.7%). Signs of consolidation were seen in 80 (45.5%). Central nervous system involvement in the form of altered sensorium was seen in 43 (24.4%) and seizures in 11 (6.3%) patients. Eshcar was seen in 23 (13%) patients. Transaminases were elevated in 153 (86%) patients, serum alkaline phosphatase in 110 (62.5%) patients. Renal failure was seen in 49 (27.8%) cases and respiratory failure was seen in 11 (6.2%). Eight (4.5%) patients died in our study. CONCLUSION: Scrub typhus should be suspected in patients with rural background with fever and multi system involvement. The predominant symptoms were cough and breathlessness. Central nervous system abnormalities in the form of altered sensorium was seen in 43 (24.4%). Most common laboratory abnormality noted in our patients with scrub typhus was elevated liver enzymes which were seen in 153 (86%) cases.

Influenza A encephalopathy, cerebral vasculopathy, and posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome: combined occurrence in a 3-year-old child.

Encephalopathy is an uncommon complication of childhood influenza infection, typically recognized during influenza epidemics. Imaging hallmarks include characteristic thalamic lesions, thalamic necrosis and hemispheric edema. We describe a child with acute influenza A associated necrotizing encephalopathy with MR angiographic evidence of significant cerebral vasculopathy and a hemispheric edema pattern consistent with PRES. This case reinforces that significant cerebral vasculopathy can accompany influenza infection and that influenza is a likely trigger for PRES.

Power-limited contraction dynamics of Vorticella convallaria: an ultrafast biological spring.

Vorticella convallaria is one of the fastest and most powerful cellular machines. The cell body is attached to a substrate by a slender stalk containing a polymeric structure-the spasmoneme. Helical coiling of the stalk results from rapid contraction of the spasmoneme, an event mediated by calcium binding to a negatively charged polymeric backbone. We use high speed imaging to measure the contraction velocity as a function of the viscosity of the external environment and find that the maximum velocity scales inversely with the square root of the viscosity. This can be explained if the rate of contraction is ultimately limited by the power delivered by the actively contracting spasmoneme. Microscopically, this scenario would arise if the mechanochemical wave that propagates along the spasmoneme is faster than the rate at which the cell body can respond due to its large hydrodynamic resistance. We corroborate this by using beads as markers on the stalk and find that the contraction starts at the cell body and proceeds down the stalk at a speed that exceeds the velocity of the cell body.

Is ligation of azygos vein necessary in primary repair of tracheoesophageal fistula with esophageal atresia?

INTRODUCTION: Congenital tracheoesophageal fistula with esophageal atresia (TEF with EA) is not an uncommon disease of newborns. Classical approach for primary repair of TEF with EA is right thoracotomy with extrapleural approach, ligation of the azygos vein, identification and ligation of tracheoesophageal fistula, identification of upper esophageal pouch and end-to-end anastomosis. This study was conducted to evaluate if the ligation of the azygos vein is a must during primary repair of TEF with EA. METHOD: We studied 50 randomly selected cases in the last two years (Jan 2003 - Jan 2005). In 25 babies (group A), primary repair was done with preservation of the azygous vein while 25 babies (group B) were operated with a classical approach with ligation and division of the azygos vein. The postoperative result was comparative in both cases. RESULT: Postoperative pneumonitis was higher in the babies operated with the classical approach (56 % in group B and 12 % in group A) and was found to be statistically significant. In postoperative complication, anastomotic leak was slightly higher in group B but was not statistically significant. Mortality rate was similar in both groups. Babies in group A were hemodynamically more stable in comparison to group B. CONCLUSION: Preservation of the azygos vein maintains the normal venous drainage of mediastinum and hence decreases the postoperative chest congestion and pneumonitis in the postoperative period in cases of congenital esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula, so it should be preserved whenever possible.

Tissue-specific alternative splicing of BK channel transcripts in Drosophila.

BK-type calcium-activated potassium channels are large conductance channels that respond to changes in intracellular calcium and membrane potential. These channels are used in a wide variety of cell types and have recently been linked to drug sensitivity and tolerance. In both Drosophila and mammals, BK channels are encoded by the slowpoke gene. The Drosophila slowpoke gene includes 14 alternative exons distributed among five sites of alternative splicing. Presumably, the purpose of alternative processing is to provide transcripts tailored to the needs of the cell. The slowpoke gene is expressed in nervous, muscle and epithelial tissues. To determine whether splicing is controlled in a tissue- and/or developmental-specific manner, we built tissue- and developmental-specific cDNA libraries that preserved the relative frequency of various slowpoke splice variants. These libraries were screened by colony hybridization using alternative exon-specific DNA probes to document the frequency of individual alternative exons in different developmental stages and distinct tissue types. We demonstrate that slowpoke transcripts undergo tissue- and developmental-specific splicing in Drosophila and some exons are diagnostic for specific tissues.

Neutrophil chemorepulsion in defined interleukin-8 gradients in vitro and in vivo.

We report for the first time that primary human neutrophils can undergo persistent, directionally biased movement away from a chemokine in vitro and in vivo, termed chemorepulsion or fugetaxis. Robust neutrophil chemorepulsion in microfluidic gradients of interleukin-8 (IL-8; CXC chemokine ligand 8) was dependent on the absolute concentration of chemokine, CXC chemokine receptor 2 (CXCR2), and was associated with polarization of cytoskeletal elements and signaling molecules involved in chemotaxis and leading edge formation. Like chemoattraction, chemorepulsion was pertussis toxin-sensitive and dependent on phosphoinositide-3 kinase, RhoGTPases, and associated proteins. Perturbation of neutrophil intracytoplasmic cyclic adenosine monophosphate concentrations and the activity of protein kinase C isoforms modulated directional bias and persistence of motility and could convert a chemorepellent to a chemoattractant response. Neutrophil chemorepulsion to an IL-8 ortholog was also demonstrated and quantified in a rat model of inflammation. The finding that neutrophils undergo chemorepulsion in response to continuous chemokine gradients expands the paradigm by which neutrophil migration is understood and may reveal a novel approach to our understanding of the homeostatic regulation of inflammation.

TFIIAalpha/beta-like factor is encoded by a germ cell-specific gene whose expression is up-regulated with other general transcription factors during spermatogenesis in the mouse.

TFIIAalpha/beta-like factor (ALF) is a testis-specific counterpart of the large subunit of human general transcription factor TFIIA. Northern analysis shows that ALF mRNA first appears in mouse testis at Postnatal Day 14. Similarly, expression of the general transcription factors TBP, TRF2, TFIIAalpha/beta, TFIIAgamma, and TFIIIB(90) is also increased beginning at Postnatal Day 14, suggesting that there is a coordinated induction of many general transcription factors during male germ cell differentiation. Analysis of male germ cells separated by Staput sedimentation shows that ALF is present in pachytene spermatocytes and haploid spermatids. In addition, in situ hybridization experiments with adult mouse testis shows that ALF is present in haploid spermatids. Searches of the human genome sequence database using the basic local alignment search tool reveal that the ALF and TFIIAalpha/beta(GTF2A1) genes are both composed of nine exons, whereas the TFIIAgamma (GTF2A2) gene is composed of five exons. Furthermore, nucleotide and amino acid comparisons among human and mouse ALF, TFIIAalpha/beta, and TFIIAgamma cDNA sequences show that ALF has diverged more rapidly than either TFIIAalpha/beta or TFIIAgamma. Finally, the ALF and SBLF (Stoned B-Like Factor) sequences present in the chimeric SALF cDNA are both present on human chromosome 2, and an analysis of the corresponding genes suggests a model for the formation of SALF.

Diffusion and deformations of single hydra cells in cellular aggregates.

Cell motion within cellular aggregates consists of both random and coherent components. We used confocal microscopy to study the center of mass displacements and deformations of single endodermal Hydra cells in two kinds of cellular aggregates, ectodermal and endodermal. We first carefully characterize the center of mass displacements using standard statistical analysis. In both aggregates, cells perform a persistent random walk, with the diffusion constant smaller in the more cohesive endodermal aggregate. We show that a simple parametric method is able to describe cell deformations and relate them to displacements. These deformations are random, with their amplitude and direction uncorrelated with the center of mass motion. Unlike for an isolated cell on a substrate, the random forces exerted by the surrounding cells predominate over the deformation of the cell itself, causing the displacements of a cell within an aggregate.

Anti-invasive, antitumorigenic, and antimetastatic activities of the PHSCN sequence in prostate carcinoma.

Using naturally serum-free SU-ECM basement membranes as invasion substrates showed that plasma fibronectin was necessary to stimulate invasion by DU 145 human and metastatic MATLyLu (MLL) rat prostate carcinoma cells. This activity mapped to the PHSRN sequence, which induced invasion through alpha5beta1 integrin. PHSCN, a competitive inhibitor, blocked both PHSRN- and serum-induced invasion. Acetylated, amidated PHSCN (Ac-PHSCN-NH2) was 30-fold more potent; however, Ac-HSPNC-NH2 was inactive. Rats receiving injections s.c. with 100,000 MLL cells were treated systemically by i.v. injection three times weekly with 1 mg of either Ac-PHSCN-NH2 or Ac-HSPNC-NH2 beginning 24 h later, three times weekly with 1 mg of Ac-PHSCN-NH2 beginning only after surgery to remove large (2 cm) MLL tumors, or were left untreated. MLL tumors grew rapidly in Ac-HSPNC-NH2-treated and in untreated rats. MLL tumor growth in rats treated with Ac-PHSCN-NH2 beginning 1 day after MLL cell injection was reduced by 99.9% during the first 16 days of treatment, although subsequent tumor growth occurred. MLL tumor cryosections immunostained with anti-PECAM-1 showed that Ac-PHSCN-NH2 inhibited neovascularization by 12-fold during this time. Whether initiated after MLL cell injection or only after MLL tumor removal, Ac-PHSCN-NH2 treatment reduced the numbers of MLL lung colonies and micrometastases by 40- to >100-fold, whereas Ac-HSPNC-NH2 was inactive. Thus, Ac-PHSCN-NH2 may be a potent antitumorigenic and antimetastatic agent for postsurgical use prior to extensive metastasis.

Anxiety and functional status in older primary care patients.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that anxiety in older primary care patients is associated with functional impairment after controlling for depression and medical comorbidity. METHOD: Primary care patients (n = 303), aged sixty or older were interviewed with a series of instruments designed to measure psychiatric symptoms including anxiety, depression, medical illness burden, and both examiner-rated and self-reported functional status. Anxiety was measured by the anxiety item of the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and the anxiety items of the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form SF-36. Multiple regression techniques were used to examine the association of anxiety with functional status after controlling for age, gender, education, medical burden, and depression. RESULTS: When controlled for depression and medical morbidity, increased anxiety predicted poorer social function. Anxiety was not independently associated with more basic activities of daily living. CONCLUSIONS: Further studies with more comprehensive measures of anxiety are warranted to clarify the relationships between anxiety and functional status.

Snake bite presenting as acute myocardial infarction, ischaemic cerebrovascular accident, acute renal failure and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy.

An unusual presentation of a viperine snake bite presenting with ischaemic damage to the major organs like brain and heart leading to cerebrovascular accident and acute myocardial infarction along with acute renal failure and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC) is described in this report.

Attempted suicide in older depressed patients: effect of cognitive functioning.

The authors explored cognitive functioning and suicidal behavior in older depressed patients. Inpatients age 50 years or older (N=103) with major depression, 45 of whom had attempted suicide, were evaluated within 1 week of their hospital admission. Measures of suicidal behavior included suicide attempter status, the Suicide Intent Scale (SIS), ratings of method used (violent/nonviolent), and seriousness of injuries sustained (lethality). The Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) score measured cognitive impairment; covariates were age, gender, and living arrangement. The MMSE score was not associated with suicide attempter status, but for attempters, MMSE score showed a positive association with SIS score, but not method or lethality. Findings suggest that although cognitive disturbance may be associated with less-deliberate acts among older depressed suicide attempters, it does not appear to influence the potential lethality of their behavior.

Physiologic and neuroendocrine responses to intravenous naloxone in subjects with Alzheimer's disease and age-matched controls.

BACKGROUND: Prior work showed that administration of naloxone HCl had different behavioral effects in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) than controls. The aim of the present study was to contrast the physiologic and neuroendocrine responses to administration of a wide range of doses of intravenous naloxone of patients with probable Alzheimer's disease to aged-matched controls. METHODS: This was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, study of 12 patients with probable Alzheimer's disease and 8 age-matched normal controls who each received intravenous infusions of naloxone HCl on 3 different days in doses of 0.1 mg/kg and 2.0 mg/kg preceded by test doses of 0.5 mcg/kg. Order of treatment condition was randomized. Vital signs and plasma cortisol and prolactin were obtained at regular intervals. RESULTS: Both groups showed increased cortisol after naloxone 0.1 mg/kg and 2.0 mg/kg (p < .0001), but the increase was significantly greater and longer lived in controls than in patients. Patients, but not controls, also experienced a significant hypothermic response after naloxone 2.0 mg/kg (p < .05). Prolactin, heart rate, and blood pressure did not change following naloxone and did not differ between groups. CONCLUSIONS: These findings support a growing body evidence that HPA axis activity is increased in AD, and further suggest that at least part of this may be due to decreased opiatergic tonic inhibition.

Identification of a general transcription factor TFIIAalpha/beta homolog selectively expressed in testis.

In this paper we describe the isolation of a cDNA that encodes a human TFIIAalpha/beta-like factor (ALF). The open reading frame of ALF predicts a protein of 478 amino acids that contains characteristic N- and C-terminal conserved domains separated by an internal nonconserved domain. In addition, a rare ALF-containing cDNA, which possesses an extended N terminus (Stoned B/TFIIAalpha/beta-like factor; SALF) has also been identified. The results of Northern and dot blot analyses show that ALF is expressed almost exclusively in testis; in contrast, TFIIAalpha/beta and TFIIAgamma are enriched in testis but are also widely expressed in other human tissues. Recombinant ALF (69 kDa) and TFIIAgamma (12 kDa) polypeptides produced in Escherichia coli form an ALF/gamma complex that can stabilize TBP-TATA interactions in an electrophoretic mobility shift assay. The ALF/gamma complex is also able to restore transcription from the adenovirus major late promoter using HeLa cell nuclear extracts that have been depleted of TFIIA. Overall, the data show that ALF is a functional homolog of human general transcription factor TFIIAalpha/beta that may be uniquely important to testis biology.

Hepatitis B subtypes and hepatitis C genotypes in cirrhosis in western India: results of a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) are the major causes of viral chronic liver diseases in India. HBV subtypes and HCV genotypes have not been reported from Western India. The aims of the study were (i) To study the prevalence of viral markers to HBV and HCV in adult cirrhotics, (ii) To determine HBV subtypes and HCV genotypes using serological and molecular biological methods. METHODS: A total of 99 adult cirrhotic patients, proven by liver biopsy, laparoscopy, or a combined score of clinical features, biochemical tests, ultrasonography of abdomen, and radioisotope 99m Technetium scan in presence of oesophageal varices were studied. Sera collected from these patients were stored at -8 degrees C and subjected to various tests. HBsAg was determined by ELISA, anti-HBc by ELISA and anti HCV Ab was determined by the third generation ELISA. HBsAg subtypes were determined by enzyme immunoassay. HCV RNA was determined by PCR in those who tested positive for anti HCV antibody. Genotyping of HCV was done with a second generation PCR. RESULTS: HBsAg was detected in 16, out of which subtyping was possible in 14, adw was found in 6 and ayw in 8. Anti HCV Ab was found in 5. Genotyping was possible in three samples which revealed one to be of genotypes 3, one of genetic group 4, and one of genetic group 5. CONCLUSIONS: Subtypes and genotypes of HBV and HCV have not been reported from Western India. Their determination can have implications in understanding the spectrum of disease, characteristics and response to treatment.

Human immunodeficiency virus infection in a tertiary care hospital--clinical and microbiological profile.

Infection with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) has an increasing, direct and significant impact on the hospital, especially the emergency services. Out of a total of 39,876 patients screened, 1061 patients were reactive for anti-HIV antibodies. The incidence of the infection showed a remarkable progression from 0.89% in 1992-1993 to 5.6% in 1997, among the seropositive patients. The number of patients with signs and symptoms related to HIV infection has also shown a 2 fold rise (from 42% in 1992-1993 to 87% in 1997). The prevalence of HIV 1 in the seropositive patients is 93%, HIV 2 alone is 2.3% and 3.1% had a mixed infection with both HIV 1 and 2. Secondary infection with Mycobacteria ranked high (25%) among the symptomatic patients, with pulmonary and the disseminated varieties being more common.