Molecular characterization and pathogenicity of a carrot (Daucus carota) infecting begomovirus and associated betasatellite from India

The yellow mosaic pattern and shortening of leaf petiole are common disease symptoms associated with begomovirus infection in carrot. DNA from field infected carrot leaves was analyzed by rolling circle amplification and sequencing. The results established the presence of ageratum enation virus (AEV), which is referred to here as ageratum enation virus-carrot (AEV-Car). Symptomatic ageratum (Ageratum conyzoides) plants, growing adjacent to the carrot fields, also showed the presence of AEV (AEV-Age). Ageratum yellow leaf curl betasatellite (AYLCB) was also detected in the AEV infected carrot and ageratum samples. AEV-Car and AEV-Age are 95–97% identical in their DNA sequences, represent groups of isolates from the respective plant hosts (carrot and ageratum). Agroinoculation using infectious clones of AEV-Car plus AYLCB or AEV-Age plus AYLCB in carrot, ageratum, tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) produced yellow mosaic and curling symptoms in leaves of inoculated plants. Agroinoculation of the two isolates together, along with the betasatellite (AEV-Car plus AEV-Age plus AYLCB) resulted in the enhancement of symptoms in comparison to the plants inoculated with single isolate. Plants with more severe symptoms showed a higher level of viral DNA accumulation, suggesting synergistic interactions between the two isolates of AEV.     

Ultrasonographic estimation of fetal gestational age by fetal kidney length

Introduction: Fetal kidney length vs biparietal diameter (BPD) and femur length (FL) were comparatively evaluated and the role of fetal kidney length in estimating gestational age was determined in the second and third trimesters. Materials and methods: The study was carried out on 199 women with singleton uncomplicated pregnancies attending the outdoor patient department (OPD) for routine ultrasound fetal biometry. Fetal kidney length was measured biweekly, between 18 weeks and 38 weeks of gestation. Linear regression models for estimation of gestational age were derived from biometric indices (BPD and FL) and kidney length. Result: The earliest age at which fetal kidney could be seen sonographically was the 18th week of gestation with the mean kidney length of 12 ± 1.31 mm. The mean sonographic kidney length at the 38th week of gestation was 40.4 ± 1.71 mm, indicating that the mean fetal kidney length increases as pregnancy progresses from 18 weeks to 38 weeks of gestation. Conclusion: The best linear regression model for estimating fetal gestational age is femur length, kidney length, and biparietal diameter in that order, with standard error of ±3.85 days, ±8.04 days, and ±8.75 days, respectively.     

Perceptions and Attitudes Towards Organ Donation Among People Seeking Healthcare in Tertiary Care Centers of Coastal South India

Background:

Organ transplantation is the most preferred treatment modality for end-stage organ diseases. The need for the transplants is higher than the availability. Prerequisites for the success of transplantation program include awareness and positive attitudes.

Aim:

To assess the perceptions and attitudes of the people seeking health care in tertiary care centers towards organ donation in Mangalore, India.

Settings and Design:

This cross-sectional study included 863 people seeking general healthcare as outpatients.

Materials and Methods:

Face to face interviews were carried out using pretested tools which included the socio demographic data. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 11.5.

Results:

Overall, 59.6% participants showed the willingness to donate organs. Females (64.1%) and participants from upper socio economic status (62.7%) had higher willingness rates for organ donations. Hindus (63.6%) and Christians (63.3%) had higher willingness rates for organ donations than Muslims (38.2%). Also, 23.7% participants showed willingness to donate eyes and 33.6% wished to donate any organ after death. Most of the participants (67%) were aware that money should not be accepted for donating organs, and 58.1% were aware that it is an offence to accept any benefit for organ donations. Forty percent participants had perceived risks associated with organ donation. Regarding donor cards, 42.3% of the participants knew about it and 3.7% already possessed it.

Conclusion:

It is apparent from the study that though there was high level of awareness about organ donation, a high proportion of the participants did not have positive attitudes towards organ donation.     

Single nucleotide polymorphism of bone morphogenetic protein 4 gene: A risk factor of non-syndromic cleft lip with or without palate

Background:

The bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signalling pathway is crucial in a number of developmental processes and is critical in the formation of variety of craniofacial elements including cranial neural crest, facial primordium, tooth, lip and palate. It is an important mediator in regulation of lip and palate fusion, cartilage and bone formation.

Aim:

To study the role of mutation of BMP4 genes in the aetiology of non-syndromic cleft lip with or without palate (NSCL ± P) and identify it directly from human analyses.

Materials and Methods:

A case-control study was done to evaluate whether BMP4T538C polymorphism, resulting in an amino acid change of Val=Ala (V152A) in the polypeptide, is associated with NSCL ± P in an Indian paediatric population. Genotypes of 100 patients with NSCL ± P and 100 controls (in whom absence of CL ± P was confirmed in three generations) were detected using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism strategy. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate allele and genotype association with NSCLP.

Results:

Results showed significant association between homozygous CC genotype with CL ± P (odds ratio [OR]-5.59 and 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.85-10.99). The 538C allele carriers showed an increased risk of NSCL ± P as compared with 538 T allele (OR - 4.2% CI = 2.75-6.41).

Conclusion:

This study suggests an association between SNP of BMP4 gene among carriers of the C allele and increased risk for NSCLP in an Indian Population. Further studies on this aspect can scale large heights in preventive strategies for NSCLP that may soon become a reality.KEY WORDS: Aetiology of non-syndromic cleft lip and palate, bone morphogenetic protein 4 gene, bone morphogenetic protein gene     

Occurrence of a mosquito vector in bird houses: Developmental consequences and potential epidemiological implications

Even with continuous vector control, dengue is still a growing threat to public health in Southeast Asia. Main causes comprise difficulties in identifying productive breeding sites and inappropriate targeted chemical interventions. In this region, rural families keep live birds in backyards and dengue mosquitoes have been reported in containers in the cages. To focus on this particular breeding site, we examined the capacity of bird fecal matter (BFM) from the spotted dove, to support Aedes albopictus larval growth. The impact of BFM larval uptake on some adult fitness traits influencing vectorial capacity was also investigated. In serial bioassays involving a high and low larval density (HD and LD), BFM and larval standard food (LSF) affected differently larval development. At HD, development was longer in the BFM environment. There were no appreciable mortality differences between the two treatments, which resulted in similar pupation and adult emergence successes. BFM treatment produced a better gender balance. There were comparable levels of blood uptake and egg production in BFM and LSF females at LD; that was not the case for the HD one, which resulted in bigger adults. BFM and LSF females displayed equivalent lifespans; in males, this parameter was shorter in those derived from the BFM/LD treatment. Taken together these results suggest that bird defecations successfully support the development of Ae. albopictus. Due to their cryptic aspects, containers used to supply water to encaged birds may not have been targeted by chemical interventions.     

Recent Advances in Febrile Seizures

Febrile seizures are the most common seizures of childhood. A family history of febrile seizures is common, and the disorder is genetically heterogenous. While guidelines are available for management of simple febrile seizures, the management of complex febrile seizures is individualised. After a febrile seizure, it is important to rule out CNS infection and the decision to perform a lumbar puncture should be based on the clinical condition of the child. Neuroimaging and EEG are not required immediately in workup for simple or complex febrile seizures. Recurrence of febrile seizures may be managed at home by the parents with benzodiazepines. If the recurrences are multiple or prolonged and parents are unable to give home treatment, intermittent benzodiazepine prophylaxis may be given. Continuous antiepileptic prophylaxis may be given only to the children where intermittent prophylaxis has failed. Febrile seizures are also associated with increased risk of epilepsy, but this cannot be prevented by any form of treatment. There is also an increased risk of mesial temporal sclerosis, but whether this is an effect or cause of febrile seizures is as yet unclear. There is no increase in neurological handicaps or mortality following febrile seizures.