The role of local governments in the implementation of evidence-based nutrition interventions in Kerala.

OBJECTIVE: To study the involvement and influence of local participatory governments consisting of Panchayat Raj institutions (PRIs) in implementing evidence-based interventions for eliminating maternal and child undernutrition in the state of Kerala, India. METHODS: In-depth interviews were carried out among stakeholders in six selected local governments using a semi-structured questionnaire. Transcribed interviews were coded and thematically analysed. RESULTS: PRIs facilitated nutrition interventions through additional resource mobilisation, nutrition monitoring and surveillance, acting as a more approachable point of governance, utilising general acceptance to mobilise volunteers to tackle local challenges, enabling formal and informal platforms for community participation and spaces of co-creation. Changes in the attitude of different stakeholders, timely policy backing and support, and interconnections at the local level aided the process. Gaps exist in awareness creation, dietary diversification, feeding behaviours, maternal mental health, infrastructure development, monitoring of anthropometric indicators and planning for nutrition interventions during emergencies. CONCLUSION: Results illustrate complex linkages PRIs have within the health system and how these linkages help in the implementation of interventions. The study explored previously identified pathways from the literature and identified additional pathways through which local participatory governance contributes to the successful implementation of nutrition interventions.

OBJECTIF: Étudier l'implication et l'influence du système de gouvernement participatif local, composé des institutions du Panchâyat Raj (PRI), dans la mise en place d'interventions fondées sur des données scientifiques en vue d'éliminer la sous-nutrition maternelle et infantile dans l'État du Kérala, Inde. MÉTHODES: Des entretiens approfondis, avec questionnaire semi-structuré, ont été réalisés avec les parties prenantes de six gouvernements locaux préalablement sélectionnés. La transcription des entretiens a été codée et analysée de manière thématique. RÉSULTATS: Les PRI ont facilité les interventions nutritionnelles en mobilisant des ressources supplémentaires, en organisant une surveillance et un suivi nutritionnels, en agissant en tant que point de contact gouvernemental plus accessible, en misant sur l'acceptation générale afin de mobiliser les volontaires pour s'attaquer aux problèmes locaux, en mettant en place des plateformes de participation communautaire formelles et informelles et en laissant la place à la co-création. Les changements d'attitude de différentes parties prenantes, un soutien politique opportun et les liens tissés au niveau local ont contribué au processus. Certaines lacunes ont été observées, en matière d'actions de sensibilisation, de diversification alimentaire, de comportements alimentaires, de santé mentale des mères, de développement des infrastructures, de suivi des indicateurs anthropométriques et de planification des interventions nutritionnelles en période d'urgence. CONCLUSION: Les résultats mettent en évidence les liens complexes entre les PRI et le système de santé, et comment ces liens contribuent à la mise en place des interventions. Cette étude a analysé certains moyens, précédemment décrits dans la littérature, et en a identifié de nouveaux par lesquels les gouvernements participatifs locaux contribuent à la bonne mise en place des interventions nutritionnelles.

Identifying aphid resistance in the ancestral wheat Triticum monococcum under field conditions.

Wheat is an economically, socially, and nutritionally important crop, however, aphid infestation can often reduce wheat yield through feeding and virus transmission. Through field phenotyping, we investigated aphid resistance in ancestral wheat Triticum monococcum (L.). Aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi (L.), Sitobion avenae (F.) and Metopolophium dirhodum (Wlk.)) populations and natural enemy presence (parasitised mummified aphids, ladybird adults and larvae and lacewing eggs and larvae) on two naturally susceptible wheat varieties, Triticum aestivum (L.) var. Solstice and T. monococcum MDR037, and three potentially resistant genotypes T. monococcum MDR657, MDR045 and MDR049 were monitored across three years of field trials. Triticum monococcum MDR045 and MDR049 had smaller aphid populations, whereas MDR657 showed no resistance. Overall, natural enemy presence was positively correlated with aphid populations; however, MDR049 had similar natural enemy presence to MDR037 which is susceptible to aphid infestation. It is hypothesised that alongside reducing aphid population growth, MDR049 also confers indirect resistance by attracting natural enemies. The observed resistance to aphids in MDR045 and MDR049 has strong potential for introgression into commercial wheat varieties, which could have an important role in Integrated Pest Management strategies to reduce aphid populations and virus transmission.

Unravelling mycorrhiza-induced wheat susceptibility to the English grain aphid Sitobion avenae.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are root symbionts that can increase or decrease aphid growth rates and reproduction, but the reason by which this happens is unknown. To investigate the underlying mechanisms of this interaction, we examined the effect of AM fungi on the English Grain aphid (Sitobion avenae) development, reproduction, attraction, settlement and feeding behaviour on two naturally susceptible varieties Triticum aestivum (L.) variety Solstice and T. monococcum MDR037, and two naturally resistant lines, T. monococcum MDR045 and MDR049. Mycorrhizal colonisation increased the attractiveness of T. aestivum var. Solstice to aphids, but there was no effect on aphid development on this variety. Using the Electrical Penetration Graph (EPG) technique, we found that mycorrhizal colonisation increased aphid phloem feeding on T. monococcum MDR037 and MDR045, colonisation also increased growth rate and reproductive success of S. avenae on these varieties. Mycorrhizas increased vascular bundle size, demonstrating that these fungi can influence plant anatomy. We discuss if and how this could be related to an enhanced success rate in phloem feeding in two varieties. Overall, we present and discuss how mycorrhizal fungi can affect the feeding behaviour of S. avenae in wheat, inducing susceptibility in a resistant variety.

Complicated otitis media caused by Fusobacterium necrophorum.

Fusobacterium necrophorum is implicated as an aetiological agent in a variety of necrotic diseases, such as Lemièrre's syndrome (LS) in humans. LS was initially described as septic thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein secondary to an acute oropharyngeal infection. Other primary sources of infection include parotitis, otitis media, sinusitis, odontogenic infection and mastoiditis. In the pre-antibiotic era LS carried a high mortality. This has been reduced as a result of the widespread use of antibiotics, but there is still a definite morbidity and mortality associated with infection with this virulent organism. We report three cases of complicated otitis media caused by Fusobacterium necrophorum. The patients were treated successively with intravenous metronidazole and surgery.

Suppression of the deafness and thyroid dysfunction in Thrb-null mice by an independent mutation in the Thra thyroid hormone receptor alpha gene.

Deletion of thyroid hormone receptor beta (TR beta), a ligand-dependent transcription factor encoded by the Thrb gene, causes deafness and thyroid hyperactivity in Thrb-null (Thrb(tm1/tm1)) mice and in a recessive form of the human syndrome of resistance to thyroid hormone. Here, we have determined that a targeted mutation (Thra(tm2)) in the related Thra gene, encoding thyroid hormone receptor alpha suppresses these phenotypes in mice. Thra encodes a TR alpha 1 receptor which is non-essential for hearing and a TR alpha 2 splice variant of unknown function that neither binds thyroid hormone nor transactivates. The Thra(tm2) mutation deletes TR alpha 2 and concomitantly causes overexpression of TR alpha 1 as a consequence of the exon structure of the gene. Thra(tm2/tm2) mice have normal auditory thresholds indicating that TR alpha 2 is dispensable for hearing, and have only marginally reduced thyroid activity. However, a potent function for the Thra(tm2) allele is revealed upon its introduction into Thrb(tm1/tm1) mice, where it suppresses the auditory and thyroid phenotypes caused by loss of TR beta. These findings reveal a novel modifying function for a Thra allele and suggest that increased expression of TR alpha 1 may substitute for the absence of TR beta. The TR isotypes generated by the distinct Thrb and Thra genes represent a small family of receptors that have diverged to mediate different physiological roles; however, the ability of changes in Thra expression to compensate for loss of Thrb indicates that many functions of these genes remain closely related.

Distinct tissue-specific roles for thyroid hormone receptors beta and alpha1 in regulation of type 1 deiodinase expression.

Type 1 deiodinase (D1) metabolizes different forms of thyroid hormones to control levels of T3, the active ligand for thyroid hormone receptors (TR). The D1 gene is itself T3-inducible and here, the regulation of D1 expression by TRalpha1 and TRbeta, which act as T3-dependent transcription factors, was investigated in receptor-deficient mice. Liver and kidney D1 mRNA and activity levels were reduced in TRbeta(-/-) but not TRalpha1(-/-) mice. Liver D1 remained weakly T3 inducible in TRbeta(-/-) mice whereas induction was abolished in double mutant TRalpha1(-/-)TRbeta(-/-) mice. This indicates that TRbeta is primarily responsible for regulating D1 expression whereas TRalpha1 has only a minor role. In kidney, despite the expression of both TRalpha1 and TRbeta, regulation relied solely on TRbeta, thus revealing a marked tissue restriction in TR isotype utilization. Although TRbeta and TRalpha1 mediate similar functions in vitro, these results demonstrate differential roles in regulating D1 expression in vivo and suggest that tissue-specific factors and structural distinctions between TR isotypes contribute to functional specificity. Remarkably, there was an obligatory requirement for a TR, whether TRbeta or TRalpha1, for any detectable D1 expression in liver. This suggests a novel paradigm of gene regulation in which the TR sets both basal expression and the spectrum of induced states. Physiologically, these findings suggest a critical role for TRbeta in regulating the thyroid hormone status through D1-mediated metabolism.

Type 2 iodothyronine deiodinase expression in the cochlea before the onset of hearing.

Thyroid hormone signaling during a postnatal period in the mouse is essential for cochlear development and the subsequent onset of hearing. To study the control of this temporal dependency, we investigated the role of iodothyronine deiodinases, which in target tissues convert the prohormone thyroxine into triiodothyronine (T3), the active ligand for the thyroid hormone receptor (TR). Type 2 5'-deiodinase (D2) activity rose dramatically in the mouse cochlea to peak around postnatal day 7 (P7), after which activity declined by P10. This activity peak a few days before the onset of hearing suggests a role for D2 in amplifying local T3 levels at a critical stage of cochlear development. A mouse cochlear D2 cDNA was isolated and demonstrated near identity to rat D2. In situ hybridization localized D2 mRNA in periosteal connective tissue in the modiolus, the cochlear outer capsule and the septal divisions between the turns of the cochlea. Surprisingly, D2 expression in these regions that give rise to the bony labyrinth was complementary to TR expression in the sensory epithelium. Thus, the connective tissue may control deiodination of thyroxine and release of T3 to confer a paracrine-like control of TR activation. These results suggest that temporal and spatial control of ligand availability conferred by D2 provides an unexpectedly important level of regulation of the TR pathways required for cochlear maturation.

Melatonin production in an aerobic photosynthetic bacterium: an evolutionarily early association with darkness.

Melatonin was measured in a species of aerobic photosynthetic bacteria, Erythrobacter longus, grown in either constant light or constant dark. A radioimmunoassay was used to quantify melatonin levels and thin-layer chromatography to confirm the identity of melatonin immunoactivity. Melatonin levels were significantly higher (nearly 2.3-fold) in the dark-grown than in the light-grown samples. Also, the homogenates of the dark-grown bacteria retained melatonin-producing enzymatic activity, whereas the light-grown homogenates did not; melatonin levels extracted from the dark-grown homogenates increased with increasing extraction time, reaching as high as 29.2 ng.mg-1 protein at 120 min. Removal of membrane fragments from homogenates did not influence melatonin levels in light-grown homogenate, but this procedure increased melatonin levels in dark-grown homogenate, indicating that at least some of the enzymes in the pathway of melatonin production are not membrane-bound. This study is the second to demonstrate the presence of melatonin at the prokaryotic level, supporting the evidence that melatonin appeared very early in evolution. Its function in prokaryotes has not been determined, but may relate to its antioxidative actions.

'AMRITHAPALA' (Janakia arayalpatra, Joseph & Chandrasekharan), A NEW DRUG FROM THE KANI TRIBE OF KERALA.

Amrithapala (Janakia arayalpatra), a rare and endemic plant species found in the Southern forests of Western Ghat region of kerala, is used by the local 'Kani' tribe as an effective remedy for peptic ulcer, cancer-like afflictions and as a rejuvenating tonic. Search made in Ayurvedic literature indicates that the plant may be the divine drug named variously as MRITHA SANJEEVINI (the drug that can revive unconscious or dead) or SANJEEVINI, THAMPRA RASAYANI in the Oushadha Nighantu (Dictionary of Medicinal Drugs) of Tayyil Kumaran Krishnan (1906).

Adaptogenic activity of seeds of trichopus zeylanicus gaertn, the ginseng of kerala.

The alchoholic extract of seeds of Trichopus zeylanicus showed a potent adaptogenic or antistress properties against a variety of stresses in both rats an dmice. The extract increased the swimming performance of normal and adrenalectomized mice. Significantly; prevented a variety of stress and chemical induced ulcerations in rats and also prevented milk-induced leucocytosis in mice. The extract further reduced the gastric secretary clume, PH and acid output in pylorusligated rat stomach. No mortalitiy was observed upto a dose of 3 g/kg per oral in mice. The study indicated that trichopus zeylanicus seeds induce a state of nonspecific increased resistance against a variety of stress induced biological changes in animals.

ETHNO-MEDICO-BOT ANICAL STUDIES OF CHERIYA ARAYAN-AND VALIYA ARAYAN- (Aristolochia indica, Linn; Aristolochia tagala, Cham).

This paper presents two important species of plants used by the Kanitribes of Agastyar hills of Trivandrum district of Kerala against snake-poison and insect bite.

'AROGYAPPACHA' (TRICHOPUS ZEYLANICUS gaerin), THE 'GINSENG' OF KANI TRIBES OF AGASHYAR HILLS (KERALA) FOR EVER GREEN HEALH AND VITALITY.

'Arogyappacha' (Trichopus zeylanicus) found endemic to Agastyar hills of Kerala is used by the local 'kani' tribe as a health food for getting instant stamina, ever green health and vitality. The tonic effect of this plants is comparable to that of the famous health food/drug 'Ginseng'. A critical survey of the Ayurveda classics, suggests that the 'Arogyappacha' may be the divine 'Varahi'described by sushruta. Chemical and Pharmacological evaluation of the plant have been initiated.